In a significant gesture of global health solidarity, India has dispatched 300,000 doses of measles and rubella vaccines, along with essential medical supplies, to Bolivia. This assistance comes as the South American nation battles a growing outbreak of the infectious disease.
Bolivia Declares National Health Emergency
The consignment was sent on Thursday as Bolivia faces a rise in measles cases, prompting President Luis Arce Catacora to declare a national health emergency. "We have declared a National Health Emergency with the intention of safeguarding public health against the spread of measles," the Bolivian president stated, according to Xinhua. The move follows the confirmation of 60 cases and is aimed at halting the spread of the virus through mass immunisation drives.
Health Authorities Call for Public Cooperation
Bolivia's government is mobilising regional administrations and international partners to boost its response. President Arce emphasized that emergency protocols are being activated to ensure vaccine access, particularly for children under five. Health Minister Maria Renee Castro urged parents to get their children vaccinated, citing the virus's severity and the availability of 500,000 vaccine doses for children. She warned of complications like pneumonia and encephalitis, especially among those with weak immunity.
Low vaccination coverage, misinformation, and healthcare disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the resurgence, officials said.
India, Bolivia Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
The vaccine donation reflects growing India-Bolivia ties, reinforced by a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Arce on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The two leaders discussed deeper collaboration in health, pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals.
India also extended support following the March–April floods that hit La Paz and nearby regions. PM Modi expressed solidarity and congratulated Bolivia on its upcoming bicentennial of independence on August 6, 2025.
