President launches 2-week campaign to eradicate measles

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has launched a two-week national campaign to eradicate measles from the country.

The campaign was launched in a ceremony held at President’s Office this Sunday.

Speaking to press after the launch, Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said the campaign was of high priority to the government.

The national campaign launched with the assistance of World Health Organization aims to provide the MR (measles and rubella) vaccine to 70,000 Maldivians over the next two weeks.

The last such national campaign to provide the MR vaccine was held back in 2008.

Ministry of Health reports two doses of the vaccine is necessary to prevent measles, and that getting two doses does not present any health complications.

Minister Nazim said anyone with concerns regarding vaccination will be provided with counselling.

He said that the campaign – which will end on March 11 – will cover only Maldivians.

Dr. Arvind Mathur, WHO’s representative to Maldives said the price of one dose of the MR vaccine is approximately USD 0.7.

He said that each dollar spent on the vaccine will save USD 10 which will need to be spent to treat the disease.

“Therefore, prevention isn’t just beneficial to one’s own health, but will enrich the people and the country as a whole,” said Dr. Arvind Mathur.