Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Bill Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in Islamabad on Monday to discuss the efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by officials from various ministries, including the health sector.
During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his concerns about the polio cases reported this year and appreciated the efforts of frontline workers, government officials, and partners in eradicating the virus.
The prime minister chaired a meeting of the National Task Force for Polio Eradication, which was also attended by Bill Gates and other stakeholders. He warned that as long as the virus continues to circulate and paralyze children, the work is not over.
The prime minister assured that he would personally oversee national efforts to eradicate the disease. Gates praised Pakistan’s commitment to improving health, gender equity, and financial inclusion for vulnerable populations.
The meeting was a significant development in strengthening the partnership between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the government of Pakistan. The foundation contributed 30 percent of the financial support for anti-polio drives last year.
Saudi Arabia has also pledged $500 million over the next five years to support these efforts. The meeting highlighted the importance of continued efforts to eradicate polio and other health-related issues in Pakistan.
