India dispatches Measles & Rubella vaccines to Bolivia to manage outbreak; ‘stands by our friends in Global South,’ says MEA

India has dispatched a large consignment of 300,000 doses of Measles & Rubella vaccines along with ancillary supplies to support Bolivia in managing the outbreak of the disease, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday.

“India dispatched a consignment of 300,000 doses of Measles & Rubella vaccines along with ancillary supplies to support Bolivia in managing the outbreak of the disease,” Jaiswal said, adding, “India stands by its friends in the Global South.”

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The Latin American nation is facing a major measles outbreak, prompting the government to declare a national health emergency. The country has started a mass vaccination campaign with the help of several countries, including India.

According to the Bolivian Health and Sports Ministry, the country has reported 119 confirmed cases of measles as of July 14. Most of the confirmed cases (98) are in Santa Cruz. La Paz (10), Potosi (4), Beni (3), Chuquisaca (2), Oruro (1), and Pando (1) are the other regions where the disease has spread.

India’s supply of vaccine to Bolivia comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora in Brazil on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit early this month.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed “enhancing and diversifying trade, exploring cooperation in key sectors including digital technology, critical minerals, healthcare, space, and more.”