Nepal mothers try to eradicate measles

Taiwan Sun Monday 1st May, 2006

Some 50,000 mothers in Nepal are credited with helping slash the number of children who die from complications of measles.

The United Nations Children's Fund estimates Nepal's first national measles vaccination campaign last year cut the number of measles-related deaths by 90 percent, The New York Times reported.

In neighboring India, however, experts estimate that more than 100,000 children a year still die from complications of measles.

The Times said Nepal's campaign shows that quick, deep inroads can be made against measles with the proper financing and national will, as well as a tested strategy for winning public trust of vaccines.

The newspaper said India, which has more measles-related deaths than any other country, has not made fighting measles a national priority in the way Nepal, Bangladesh and countries across Africa have. It has instead focused on its drive to eradicate polio and build a stronger rural health care system.