The Maldives has not reported a case of measles since 2010, Dr. Arvind Mathur, Resident Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the Maldives, said on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office following the launch of the National Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign, Dr. Mathur congratulate President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom for his visionary leadership and support in launching the nationwide campaign.
“Maldives continues to make remarkable progress with a strong health system that yielded many successes in public health,” Dr. Mathur said. “It’s heartening to note the continued commitment at highest level and, under insightful leadership of His Excellency, the President, Maldives health sector is already undergoing further reforms to meet the emerging and changing needs of the country.”
“With the campaign, the country has fast tracked elimination of Measles by 2017- earlier than the WHO Regional goal of Measles Elimination by 2020,” he said. “This campaign is unprecedented as it aims to cover not only children of 8-14 years but young people of 15-25 years to completely bridge the immunity gap.”
Dr. Mathur further said that enhanced surveillance for both measles and rubella are critical to achieve and sustain public health gains in addition to the campaign, adding that he is “confident and very optimistic of getting the recommendation and approval of Regional Verification Committee for elimination of Measles from Maldives.”
He also assured the Health Minister and the people of Maldives of WHO's continued technical support and its closer collaboration with the Government to achieve yet another public health milestone towards healthier Maldives.