COAS, Bill Gates discuss Pakistan's Covid-19 response, polio campaign

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates, in a telephonic conversation, discussed Pakistan's Covid-19 response and resumption of the polio campaign.

Bill Gates appreciated the Pakistan Army for supporting the national polio drive and ensuring proper reach and coverage. The army chief attributed the effort for a polio-free Pakistan to the grassroot workers including mobile teams, law enforcement agencies and healthcare representatives.

The two discussed the importance of conducting the polio campaign effectively during the pandemic.

Bill Gates also appreciated Pakistan's success against the novel coronavirus despite resource constraints. The army chief said the success was executed through the mechanism of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) which allowed optimisation of resources.

The co-chair reiterated his support to Pakistan in its goal of ending polio and improving the health of every child.