India first nation to be free from maternal and neonatal tetanus; WHO presents certificates
The World Health Organization, in an event held in Delhi presented India the certificates that declare the elimination of yaws, maternal and neonatal tetanus.
At the event, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, World Health Organziation South-East Asia Region said that what made this possible are the focused approach the country adopted to make maternal and newborn care accessible as also the addressing healthcare equity. She added that these victories do not belong to India alone but to entire humanity-citing that the nation harbors one-sixth of the world population.
She said that the country achieved yaws as well as maternal and neonatal tetanus eliminations with the existing health system and workforce.
Earlier in May this year, the organization certified India as yaws-free once a team of experts successfully verified the interruption of disease transmission in the subcontinent. The country was deemed as neonatal and maternal tetanus free in 2015.
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