Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday, hailing the breakthrough as a remarkable achievement.
Anaemia remains one of South Asias quietest but most pervasive health crises, disproportionately affecting the regions poorest women and girls and with 18 million more cases projected by 2030, experts say urgent, unified action is critical.
From the high Himalayas down to sea level, climate change is no longer a distant threat for children in Nepal and the Maldives it is a daily struggle: landslides tear through mountain villages washing away homes and farms, while rising seas surge over island shorelines, threatening to swallow entire communities.
Rubella which 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.
Nepals 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, said Catharina Boehme,Officer-In-Charge of WHO in Southeast Asia.
National immunisation push
Nepal introduced rubella vaccines via a 2012 immunisation programme, beginning with a nationwide campaign targeting children aged nine months to 15 years, with a second dose added to the routine schedule in 2016.
Despite major public health emergencies such as theCOVID-19pandemic and devastating earthquakes in 2015 and 2023, Nepal achieved over 95 per cent coverage of at least one dose of rubella vaccine by the start of 2024.
This Monday,WHOs 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, said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav,WHO Representative to Nepal.
Innovative approach
Strategies such as promoting immunisation month, outreach to unvaccinated c
hildren, and efforts to have districts declared fully immunised gave fresh momentum to elimination efforts.
In addition, to further rubella surveillance, Nepal recently introduced a robust laboratory testing algorithm, the first country in WHOs Southeast Asia Region to do so.
