ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday had a telephonic conversation with philanthropist Bill Gates and discussed a range of issues including the polio eradication campaign.
The prime minister said earnest efforts are continuing to further intensify the anti-polio campaign across the country despite the COVID-19 challenges to achieve a polio-free Pakistan. He reaffirmed that polio eradication remains a key national priority for the government.
He recalled that a special polio eradication campaign was launched in the country earlier this month, during which vaccine drops were administered to over 33 million children under five years of age.
PM Imran Khan expressed his satisfaction over the substantive progress in cutting the transmission of the poliovirus in the country. He hoped that polio will be eradicated soon with the support of all partners.
Spoke with Bill Gates last night & thanked him for the help his Foundation provided for polio eradication in Pak. This time last yr we had 56 reported cases – this yr so far only 1 case. InshaAllah we will eradicate polio completely in coming yr.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 24, 2021
READ MORE: PM discusses polio eradication, COVID-19 situation with Bill Gates
The prime minister appreciated the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 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 for BMGF’s partnership with Pakistan to rid the country of polio.
Bill Gates expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s leadership for this national cause. He said while progress is encouraging, keeping up pressure will be the key to ending transmission for good.
The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to overcome the third wave of Coronavirus in the country. He encouraged Microsoft to expand its footprint in Pakistan due to the immense potential in the IT sector and the government’s business-friendly policies.
