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

Bill Gates appreciates Pakistan's success against coronavirus, reiterates support to help end polio

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.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, #COAS & @BillGates, Co-Chair of The Bill & Melinda @gatesfoundation, spoke on telephone about Pakistan’s COVID-19 response and resumption of polio campaign. Mr Gates conveyed appreciation 4 Pakistan Army for supporting (1/4)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 15, 2020

...national #polio drive, ensuring proper reach and coverage. #COAS said it was a national cause and national effort for a polio free Pakistan. Credit goes to grassroots workers including mobile teams, Law Enforcement Agencies and healthcare representatives (2/4)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 15, 2020

...Both also discussed the safe start and efforts needed to effectively conduct polio campaign under COVID environment. Mr Gates also appreciated Pakistan’s success against #COVID-19 despite resource constraints. COAS attributed the success to a true national response (3/4)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 15, 2020

...executed through the mechanism of #NCOC which allowed optimisation of resources. Mr Gates reiterated The @gatesfoundation ongoing commitment ‘to fight pandemics’ around the world & to support #Pakistan in its goals of ending polio and improving health for every child. (4/4)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 15, 2020