India first responder to fight emergency health crisis in Maldives

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday supplied 30,000 doses of Measles/Rubella vaccine to the Government of Maldives in response to their emergency requirement.

While Measles has been eliminated from the Maldives, four cases have tested positive in the last one week. Government suspects an outbreak and required emergency supplies of vaccine.

Maldives approached the Government of Denmark which was willing to supply in one month’s time. It also approached UNICEF which said they will take four weeks. It approached Indian Embassy in the afternoon of 20 January.


MEA, working closely with Ministry of Health, procured supply of 30,000 doses of Measles/Rubella vaccine from the Serum Institute of India, Pune and delivered the consignment on 23rd January. This will suffice the immediate requirement of Maldives.

India once again proved to be first responder in times of emergency for Maldives. In 2015, India responded to the water crisis in Malé due to breakdown of the main RO plant. India airlifted water immediately and also sent supplies by ship, including an RO plant.

Similarly, India sent immediate assistance on 26 December, 2004 when tsunami struck Maldives and other countries of the region. In 1988, India responded to an SOS from the then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on account of Coup with a swift action by sending paratroopers onboard IL-76 aircraft.