ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Chairman of the Gates Foundation Bill Gates met Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday.
During the meeting, they agreed to continue working together to not only eradicate polio but to strengthen health systems across the provinces, and ensure prosperity for all Pakistanis, especially women and girls.
The prime minister updated Bill Gates about the government’s efforts to achieve economic stability and key advances in digital financial services, increased health coverage, climate change adaptation and efforts to eradicate polio.
Chairman Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates calls on the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, today in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/H9BaiFXihS
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 24, 2024
Thanking the Gates Foundation for being the largest donor for the polio eradication programme, the prime minister outlined a robust and focused strategy to counter threats of increased wild poliovirus infections and actions needed to overcome the challenge to completely wipe out the disease in Pakistan.
The prime minister reiterated the commitment to eradicate polio as it remains the highest priority for the government and emphasized that all resources will be employed to provide security to polio workers.
Shahbaz Sharif said that he will personally monitor national efforts until the crippling disease is wiped-out from the Country.
The prime minister deeply appreciated Gates Foundation’s valuable support for government’s initiatives to digitize economy.
A digitized eco-system of the entire government structure will result in enhanced revenues that will help improve governance.
Shahbaz Sharif underlined that Pakistan and Gates Foundation share the goals of closing the gender gap, increasing health coverage, improving food security, climate change adaptation, and financial inclusion.
Bill Gates thanked the prime minister for his continued dedication and personal interest in eradicating wild polio from the Country.
The Chairman Gates Foundation expressed confidence that with a sustained vaccination campaign and firm commitment of the government, polio eradication drive would get back on track to end polio following the recent surge in environmental detections.
Bill Gates underscored that Pakistan’s deployment of data science tools and digital technology are important resources is improving lives of Pakistanis across the country.
