Bill Gates visits NCOC; lauds Pakistan’s success against COVID-19

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Bill Gates visited the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad on Thursday, and met its Chairman Asad Umar and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Faisal Sultan.

Later, Bill Gates along with his delegation attended the NCOC Morning Session in which they were apprised about the NCOC’s role and methodology, achievements since start of the pandemic, recent COVID-19 situation across Pakistan and various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) placed by the NCOC to control disease spread and ensure public safety and wellbeing.

A comprehensive review of Pakistan’s efforts against COVID-19 was presented to visiting delegation.

The visiting delegation was also briefed on genome sequencing (prevalence of various variants in the Country).

Bill Gates took keen interest on various initiatives by the NCOC particularly smart lock down and micro smart lock down strategy enforcement measures and Pakistan’s vaccine administration regime which enabled the NCOC to formulate and implement a comprehensive COVID response.

The Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Gates shared his views on COVID-19 particularly vaccination drive.

The Chairman NCOC Asad Umar acknowledged efforts of Bill Gates and his foundation to support COVID-19 initiatives in Pakistan.

Bill Gates appreciated Pakistan’s success against COVID-19 despite resource constraints and introducing excellent initiatives and measures for public health safety.

Asad Umar attributed the success to of a true national response, executed through an effective communication campaign mechanism of the NCOC, which helped build trust of masses on National COVID response and positive behavioral change to follow COVID protocols as outlined by the NCOC.