By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – World Health Organization announced on Monday THAT Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, hailed the breakthrough as a “remarkable achievement”.
WHO said that Rubella is commonly known as German measles is a highly contagious viral infection, and particularly serious for pregnant women as it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or a range of debilitating birth defects. Safe and cost-effective vaccines have made it highly preventable.
Catharina Boehme, Officer-In-Charge of WHO in Southeast Asia said “Nepal’s success reflects the unwavering commitment of its leadership, persistent efforts of the healthcare workers and volunteers, and unstinting support of engaged and informed communities, for a healthy start for babies and a future free of rubella disease”.
Nepal introduced rubella vaccines via a 2012 immunization programme with a nationwide campaign targeted children aged 9 months to 15 years, with a second dose added to the routine schedule in 2016.
Nepal achieved over 95 per cent coverage of at least one dose of rubella vaccine by the start of 2024 despite major public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating earthquakes in 2015 and 2023, WHO said.
Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal said that WHO’s Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination made the official announcement “This public health achievement is the result of close collaboration between the Government, dedicated health workers, partners and communities.”
UN agency noted that strategies such as promoting “immunization month”, outreach to unvaccinated children, and efforts to have districts declared fully immunized gave fresh momentum to elimination efforts.
Nepal introduced a robust laboratory testing algorithm, the first country in Southeast Asia Region to do so in addition, to rubella surveillance, WHO concluded.
