India Receives 'Measles and Rubella Champion' Award for Outstanding Public Health Efforts

By siliconindia  |  Friday, 08 March 2024, 23:48 IST

India Receives 'Measles and Rubella Champion' Award for Outstanding Public Health Efforts
In a commendable achievement, India has been honored with the prestigious 'Measles and Rubella Champion' award in recognition of its robust efforts to prevent the highly infectious and contagious diseases. The award was presented to India's Deputy Ambassador to the US, Sripriya Ranganathan, by the Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington DC.
The Measles and Rubella Partnership, a collaborative initiative involving a multi-agency planning committee comprising the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO, acknowledged India's pivotal role in inspiring regional measles and rubella elimination programs. The Union Health Ministry highlighted that the award celebrates India's unwavering commitment to public health and its outstanding leadership in curbing the spread of these infectious diseases, particularly among children.
The recognition underscores India's proactive approach, utilizing 'measles as a tracer' to strengthen routine immunization under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Despite encountering numerous challenges, India showcased remarkable progress in reducing measles and rubella cases, effectively preventing outbreaks through comprehensive interventions.
Measles, a highly contagious viral illness, poses a significant health risk, spreading easily through respiratory droplets. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that measles can lead to severe complications and even death. Rubella, also a contagious disease caused by a virus, typically results in a mild illness with symptoms such as a low-grade fever, sore throat, and a distinctive rash.
Crucially, both diseases are preventable through vaccines, with the MR Vaccine being an integral part of India's Universal Immunization Programme since 2017. The health ministry extended congratulations to frontline health workers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities for their unwavering dedication and hard work.
The ministry highlighted the tangible impact of these efforts, revealing that 50 districts consistently reported no measles cases, while 226 districts remained free of rubella cases over the past 12 months. This milestone underscores India's commitment to public health and its role as a regional leader in advancing measles and rubella elimination programs, showcasing the nation's dedication to ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

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