NEW YORK: The Co-chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates has appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fight against polio virus.
In a letter written to President Dr Arif Alvi, he lauded Pakistan’s high-level commitment to protecting the health and well-being of every child in the country.
Thanking the President for a warm welcome on his first visit to Pakistan, he said it was an honour to receive the Hilal-e-Pakistan national award, in recognition of his meritorious services to the people of Pakistan, particularly for the eradication of polio.
Bill Gates remarked that Pakistan has made remarkable progress in the fight against wild poliovirus, with no cases for over a year.
Bill Gates said he looks forward to a deepening partnership between the government of Pakistan and his foundation to tackle issues of shared interest.
Read more: PM Imran Khan, Bill Gates discuss polio eradication
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had a telephonic conversation with philanthropist Bill Gates and discussed matters of shared concern including polio eradication in Pakistan and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The prime minister expressed appreciation for the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. He particularly lauded the work of the foundation in Pakistan.
PM Imran Khan reaffirmed that eradication of polio from Pakistan remained a key priority of the government and efforts were underway to intensify the anti-polio campaign across the country despite challenges related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
