NEW YORK, (TDI): Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2024).
During the meeting, they discussed on ongoing health initiatives in Pakistan, with a particular focus on polio eradication and improvements in maternal and child health.
Prime Minister Sharif expressed gratitude for Gates’ visit to Pakistan in June and for the invitation to tour the Gates Foundation in Seattle in December 2024.
He praised the foundation for its significant contributions to various health programs in Pakistan, including efforts in polio eradication, immunization, nutrition, and financial inclusion.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating polio and thanked BMGF for its long-standing partnership in this vital mission.
He stressed the need for continued support to strengthen health systems and enhance maternal and child nutrition.
Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s dedication to combating polio, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding future generations from the disease.
He commended the Prime Minister’s proactive engagement and the active role of provincial governments in the national vaccination program.
Furthermore, Gates provided updates on a Health Dialogue initiative with Afghanistan and sought support for it.
He highlighted the need to address areas with high rates of missed vaccinations and vaccine resistance, particularly in regions with high child morbidity.
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He also mentioned the support from King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre for polio and health initiatives, focusing on improving nutrition for pregnant women through collaboration with UNICEF.
Prime Minister Sharif praised the Gates Foundation for its efforts in Gaza’s polio campaign, recognizing the challenging circumstances faced by children in the area.
He called for an immediate ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict in line with UN resolutions.
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Lastly, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for BMGF’s role as a reliable partner in Pakistan’s socio-economic development and showed interest in expanding collaborations in fields such as information technology, STEM education, agriculture, and livestock.
