The Regional Verification Commission, an independent body of experts, that met in Delhi from 31 July to 2 August, based on an in-depth review of the data and reports provided by the national verification committee of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) , verified that DPR Korea interrupted transmission of indigenous measles for more than three years.
Highlighting the significant progress of Member States of WHO’s South East Asia Region (SEAR) towards achieving measles elimination , Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO’ s South East Asia Region (SEAR) congratulated DPR Korea and Timor Leste on joining Bhutan and Maldives as countries that have been verified as having eliminated measles in SEAR . “ These achievements demonstrate the commitment and resolve of countries in the Region towards health of women and children, and for universal health coverage”, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.
Taking another step forward, in the recently concluded 71st Regional Committee Meeting, Regional Director and WHO SEARO recognized the phenomenal success of DPR Korea in achieving measles elimination amidst several challenges. DPR Korea was awarded the public health achievement for keeping the country free of indigenous measles since 2007 and imported measles since 2014. Dr Pak Jong Min , Director Department of External Affairs , Ministry of Public Health, DPRK received the award from the Regional Director.
Dr Thushara Fernando, WHO representative and the WHO country team join the Regional Director and WHO SEARO on congratulating DPRK’s achievement in elimination of measles and assure the support to the MOPH to sustain this achievement and progress towards control of rubella/CRS by introducing Mealses-Rubella(MR) vaccine in 2019 .
As the national anthem says, the country has valiantly faced the furious wave of measles virus with thunderous force and has eliminated it from its soil.