New Delhi: In a friendly response to a request from Maldives, India on Thursday sent 30,000 doses of Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine to the island country.
“30,000 doses of MR vaccine were quickly procured from the Serum Institute of India, Pvt. Ltd, and within three days the vaccine reached Male. The vaccines were handed over to the Ministry of Health, Government of Maldives on January 23,” a statement from the Indian Embassy in Male read.
“India’s swift response underlines that health remains one of the strongest pillars of bilateral cooperation between India and Maldives. This gesture also emphasises the mutually supportive roles of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and the Maldives’ India First policy, acting for the benefit of our peoples,” the statement read.
In a bid to thank India for the gesture of goodwill and solidarity, Minister of Health of Maldives Abdulla Ameen, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Indian Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir.
Although, measles have been eliminated from the Maldives, four cases have tested positive in the last one week.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
India responds first – in 72 hours – to the measles threat in the #Maldives by donating 30,000 doses of MR vaccine to safeguard public health. @MEAIndia @MoFAmv @DrSJaishankar @MoHmv @ameenex @MoHFW_INDIA @seruminstitute @presidencymv pic.twitter.com/ZJwUIKLVxE
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) January 23, 2020
