The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia’s member nations have committed to eradicating the highly infectious Rubella and Measles diseases by the year 2023. The data reveals strides in this endeavor, with several countries from the South East Asia region already having made significant headway in eradicating these diseases.
Achieving Elimination Goals
To attain their target of eliminating Measles and Rubella by 2023, the member countries have resolved to boost immunisation systems to maintain high population immunity levels. The resolution also necessitates a highly sensitive laboratory-supported case-based monitoring system. Approximately 500,000 deaths per year in the region could be prevented by eradicating measles, while rubella elimination could prevent an estimated 55,000 cases of rubella, significantly improving the health and wellbeing of expectant mothers and infants.
Understanding Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that poses a global threat to children’s lives, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may suffer from malnutrition or reduced immunity. The disease can result in severe complications such as blindness, encephalitis, serious diarrhoea, ear infections, and pneumonia.
Understanding Rubella
Rubella, commonly known as German Measles, is a generally mild viral infection common in children and young adults. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, it can result in fetal death or congenital defects referred to as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). CRS leads to irreversible birth defects.
Current Status and Future Plans
India has pledged to contribute $200,000 towards implementing the preparedness stream under the South-East Asia Health Emergency Response Fund (SEARHEF). This initiative includes special surveillance for early detection and control of vector-borne and waterborne diseases, which proved effective in containing epidemic-prone disease outbreaks following Cyclone Fani. The Health Ministers of WHO’s South-East Asia Region also signed the Delhi Declaration on Emergency Preparedness.
| Status | Country |
|---|---|
| Eliminated Measles | Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste |
| Controlled Rubella | Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste |
About WHO’s Regional Committee for South-East Asia
The Regional Committee for South-East Asia constitutes WHO’s governing body in the South-East Asia region, represented by each of the region’s 11 Member States: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. Annually, this committee convenes to evaluate health development progress in the region, formulate resolutions on health matters for Member States, and assess the regional impact of World Health Assembly resolutions.