WHO South-East Asia Region Sets New 2026 Target for Measles and Rubella Elimination

New Delhi: The 77th Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia concluded with Member States approving resolutions that established new goals for eliminating measles and rubella, increasing the resources of the regional health emergency fund, and pledging to develop adolescent-friendly health systems.

The Member States agreed to extend the target for eliminating measles and rubella in the region, aiming to accomplish this goal by 2026.

The resolution also endorsed the “Strategic Plan for measles and rubella elimination and sustenance in the WHO South-East Asia Region 2024–2028” for achieving and sustaining measles and rubella elimination in the Region. Working against the earlier 2023 target, five countries of the Region have achieved measles and rubella elimination.

“While regionally, we have made good progress on elimination of measles and rubella, the COVID-19 pandemic did disrupt this progress. I am pleased the Regional Committee has resolved to revise the elimination target,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, at the closing of the Regional Committee.

During WHO’s annual regional governing body meeting, the Member States agreed to triple the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to US$ 3 million starting in 2026. Beyond supporting lifesaving interventions in emergency responses, SEARHEF will also be enhanced to address key gaps in health emergency preparedness and strengthen the capacities of countries.

At WHO's annual regional governing body meeting, Member States agreed to triple the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to US$ 3 million starting in 2026. In addition to funding lifesaving interventions during emergencies, SEARHEF will also be enhanced to address key gaps in health emergency preparedness and improve the countries' capacities.

The Regional Committee approved the Ministerial Declaration on adolescent-responsive health systems, which countries had adopted during a ministerial roundtable earlier in the week. The declaration advocates for policies, resources, and services designed to address the specific needs of adolescents, aiming to create a healthier and more equitable future for everyone. It highlights adolescent-responsive health systems as a key strategy to strengthen primary healthcare and achieve universal health coverage.

The Regional Committee assessed the progress toward achieving universal health coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals, as countries shared their initiatives and reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying efforts to meet global targets.

The three-day Regional Committee, which concluded yesterday, reviewed progress reports on earlier resolutions, including those on traditional medicines, strengthening health workforce education and training, and enhancing efforts for dengue control and malaria elimination. Discussions also covered resolutions on the Decade of Action to End Viral Hepatitis, HIV, and STIs; achieving universal access to people-centered healthcare and services; the progress and acceleration plan for non-communicable diseases; and advancing health emergency preparedness and response in the region.

Echoing WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros' key points from his opening address to the Regional Committee, Wazed encouraged Member States to actively participate in the negotiations for the Pandemic Agreement.

The Regional Director expressed gratitude to Member States for their generous contributions to the WHO Investment Round and reaffirmed WHO’s ongoing commitment to advancing public health throughout the region.

“We are one team …. with a unified vision - a vision which can benefit every living person on this planet. I am pleased to be among you in this noble calling, and in this noble endeavor of ours,” the Regional Director said.

During the Regional Committee, Member States were recognized for their achievements and progress in public health. Bhutan was honored for meeting interim targets for cervical cancer elimination, while India was recognized for eliminating trachoma, and Timor-Leste for eliminating lymphatic filariasis.

Maldives and Sri Lanka were awarded for controlling Hepatitis B in children. Bhutan also received an award for achieving SDG and global targets in reducing under-five mortality and stillbirth rates.

Additionally, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were acknowledged for reaching SDG and global targets in reducing under-five mortality, neonatal mortality, and stillbirth rates.