India Donates 20,000 Measles Vaccines and Three Tonnes of Medical Supplies

MALE’ — India has handed over 20,000 doses of the Measles-Rubella vaccine and three tonnes of medical supplies to the Maldives as the country deals with a measles outbreak.

The supplies were handed over by Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian to Health Minister Geela Ali. The donation includes laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment for frontline health workers.

“The MR vaccine will facilitate the containment of the disease and protect those at risk,” Geela said. “With more laboratory equipment, the work of diagnosing and monitoring diseases will become faster. PPE and preparedness materials will ensure the safety of frontline health workers and further strengthen our readiness for infectious diseases.”

Balasubramanian said India had stood by the Maldives during past crises, including the 2004 tsunami and the Covid-19 pandemic, and would continue to do so. He added that further supplies requested by the Maldives were already on their way.

The handover took place at the Ministry of Health.