National workshop on measles and rubella elimination highlights progress and priorities

Kathmandu, Bagmati province - The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and WHO Country Office for Nepal organized a two-day national workshop on measles and rubella (MR) elimination on 20-21 January to review subnational progress toward Nepal’s goal of achieving MR elimination by 2026. Over 65 officials, including representatives from the Department of Health Services, MoHP, district immunization program officers, and WHO Surveillance and Immunization Medical Officers, convened to analyze measles immunization and surveillance data while receiving updates on global and regional elimination strategies. This comprehensive review, which emphasized actionable recommendations to address identified gaps, enabled participants to clearly define roles and responsibilities for each tier of government and develop targeted provincial action plans aimed at accelerating progress. These plans focus on enhancing preparedness and response mechanisms for MR outbreaks and strengthening diagnostic capacity in provincial laboratories. Participants also recommended enhancing collaboration with Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at all levels to improve the response to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. WHO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting the MoHP through continued advocacy; technical assistance, including capacity building of RRTs; progress monitoring and supervision of provincial actions to eliminate MR in Nepal.