RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates spoke on the telephone about Pakistan’s COVID-19 response and the resumption of polio campaign.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that during the conversation, Bill Gates conveyed appreciation for Pakistan army for supporting national polio drive, ensuring proper reach and coverage.
The COAS said that it was a national cause and national effort for a polio-free Pakistan and Credit goes to the grassroots workers including mobile teams, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and healthcare representatives.
Both also discussed the safe start and efforts needed to effectively conduct the polio campaign under the COVID-19 environment.
The Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also appreciated Pakistan’s success against COVID-19 despite resource constraints.
The attributed the success to a true national response, executed through the mechanism of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) which allowed optimization of resources.
Bill Gates reiterated the Gates Foundation’s ongoing commitment ‘to fight pandemics’ around the world and to support Pakistan in its goals of ending polio and improving health for every child.
