Islamabad, 6 October 2021 (TDI): Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, and Bill Gates, co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, engaged in a telephonic conversation. Both officials discussed the prospects of resumption of the polio campaign in Afghanistan to secure Pakistan’s gains in the fight against poliovirus.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the health system in Afghanistan is crippling and is in dire need of international financial assistance. He urged Bill gates to consider providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. It will help in revamping the health sector in Kabul.
Prime Minister Imran Kahn also updated Bill Gates on Pakistan’s progress in eradicating the poliovirus. He appreciated Gates Foundation’s support in this regard. He informed him that the country has encountered only one case of wild poliovirus (WPV) this year. Moreover, positive WPV environmental samples have also been decreased.
He further added the government is committed to completely eradicate poliovirus in the country.
Bill Gates acknowledged PM Imran Khan’s efforts for combating poliovirus. He also appreciated Prime Minister’s meeting with deputy commissioners in high-risk polio districts in August. Furthermore, Bill Gates ensured continued support of the Gates Foundation to Pakistan for the polio program and other government-led initiatives including the Ehsaas program and National Savings Program.
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