UNICEF Donates 28,000 Vaccine Doses to Curb Rising Measles Outbreak in Maldives

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has donated 28,000 doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine and essential medical equipment to the Maldives to combat an ongoing measles outbreak. The donation was formalized during a signing ceremony on Wednesday at the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare. Health Minister Geela Ali, who signed the agreement on behalf of the government, emphasized that the vaccines are critical tools in the national strategy to contain the spread of the disease. The agreement was signed alongside UNICEF Resident Representative to the Maldives, Dr. Edward Addai. Since the first case was detected in May, the Maldives has recorded 121 positive measles cases. The situation has intensified recently, with 55 of those cases reported within the past week alone. In response, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has ramped up contact tracing, laboratory testing, and targeted vaccination drives for high-risk individuals. Minister Geela noted that over 5,400 people have already been vaccinated since the immunization campaign began. She praised the dedication of healthcare professionals on the front lines and urged all eligible citizens to seek vaccination to protect their families and the broader community. This contribution from UNICEF complements recent international support from the Government of India, which provided 20,000 vaccine doses and three tonnes of medical supplies. Together, these donations significantly bolster the Maldives' healthcare capacity to manage the current public health crisis. The Ministry of Health continues to expand its diagnostic capabilities and intensify monitoring efforts to prevent further transmission across the atolls.