ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (Asia Free Press): Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan had a telephonic conversation with Bill Gates, Co-Chairman of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discussed matters of shared concern including Polio eradication in Pakistan and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, according to local media.
The Prime Minister deeply appreciated the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for extensively in fighting with poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. He also in particularly, lauded the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Pakistan, APP reported.
Anti-Polio campaign is underway across the country to achieve the targeted goals despite challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the Prime Minister said while reaffirming that eradication of polio from Pakistan remained a key priority of the current government.
He also highlighted that Pakistan witnessed continued positive progress with the sharp reduction in Polio cases in 2021 and recorded only one polio case in the whole year.
While praising the Gates Foundation’s strong advocacy to promote equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of equitable, timely, and scaled delivery of Covid-19 vaccines to help low-income countries alleviate the social and economic effects of the pandemic.
Bill Gates, in his turn, appreciated the recent efforts made by Pakistan to eradicate Polio, reinforced his commitment to Polio eradication; acknowledged Pakistan’s successful Covid-19 vaccination campaign and assured that Gates Foundation’s support will further continue.
The Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bill Gates agreed to continue working together on the shared objectives.
