India has extended crucial medical aid to Bolivia amid a growing public health crisis caused by a resurgence of measles. On Thursday, India dispatched a shipment of 300,000 doses of Measles and Rubella vaccines along with supporting medical supplies to help Bolivia combat the outbreak. The announcement was made by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), who emphasized India’s commitment to supporting its partners in the Global South.
Bolivia recently declared a National Health Emergency due to the rapid spread of measles. President Luis Arce Catacora announced this decision after convening the National Strategic Council for Health Emergencies. So far, 60 confirmed measles cases have been reported, raising alarms across the region. The Bolivian government plans to contain the outbreak through large-scale vaccination drives and by activating emergency health protocols across local and regional levels.
President Arce urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, particularly those under the age of five, as measles poses severe risks such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death in vulnerable populations. Bolivia’s Health Minister, Maria Renee Castro, stressed the urgent need for mass immunization, noting that the country has secured 500,000 doses in total. She highlighted that recent gaps in vaccination coverage, partly due to pandemic-related disruptions and misinformation, have contributed to the current outbreak.
India’s timely medical assistance comes alongside a broader diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Arce during the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. The leaders reviewed the status of bilateral relations and identified new opportunities for collaboration, particularly in trade, pharmaceuticals, digital payments through UPI, healthcare, and the critical minerals sector. Both sides also discussed capacity-building initiatives and small business support.
The MEA stated that India and Bolivia are exploring expanded cooperation in the sustainable extraction and development of critical minerals, a sector with growing global importance. Quick Impact Projects and scholarship programs under India’s ITEC initiative are also part of the ongoing partnership.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi conveyed condolences for the devastating floods that struck Bolivia earlier this year, reaffirming India’s solidarity with the Bolivian people. He also congratulated Bolivia in advance on its bicentennial independence celebration, set for August 6, 2025.
