PM, Bill Gates discuss polio eradication, pandemic response

Premier encourages Microsoft to further expand its footprint in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), in a telephonic conversation on Thursday.

During the phone call, views were exchanged on the ongoing polio eradication campaign in the country as well as on Pakistan’s response to the public health challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The premier appreciated the BMGF's work for the socio-economic uplift of the most disadvantaged people around the globe, especially for promoting universal access to health services and combating infectious diseases.

He expressed gratitude, in particular, for the foundation's partnership with Pakistan to rid the country of polio.

Read: PM, Bill Gates discuss next steps on Covid-19 response, polio eradication

The prime minister reaffirmed that polio eradication remained a key national priority for the government and earnest efforts were afoot to further intensify the anti-polio campaign across the country, despite the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 crisis, in order to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.

Recalling that a special polio eradication campaign was launched in the country earlier this month (June 7-11, 2021), during which vaccine was administered to over 33 million children under five years of age, PM Imran expressed his satisfaction over the substantive progress in cutting the transmission of the poliovirus in the country. He hoped that the virus will be eradicated soon with the support of all partners.

Bill Gates expressed his appreciation for the PM’s leadership for this national cause. He added that while progress is encouraging, keeping up pressure will be the key to ending transmission for good.

Read more Health minister reviews Covid and polio vaccination drives

PM Imran highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to overcome the third wave of coronavirus in the country.

While alluding to Pakistan’s potential in the Information Technology (IT) sector and government’s business friendly IT policy, the prime minister encouraged Microsoft to further expand its footprint in Pakistan.

Today’s telephone call follows the high-level GPEI (Global Polio Eradication Initiative ) Polio Oversight Board (POB) delegation visit to Pakistan in early June, when Prime Minister Imran Khan met with POB leadership and had convened the National Task Force on Polio Eradication.

The new GPEI Polio Eradication Strategy was launched on June 10, 2021 in a global (virtual) event featuring high-level participation from Pakistan.