Islamabad reiterates commitment to Gates’ public-health initiatives in second call this week
The influential chief of the Pakistani Army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has held a phone conversation with billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, reassuring him that Islamabad is committed to working with the Microsoft co-founder’s foundation on eradicating polio and other global health initiatives.
Gates gave praise to the Pakistan Army in a Friday phone conversation “supporting the country’s polio drive and ensuring proper reach and coverage,”Bajwa stated that “credit goes to all involved in the process,”According to Inter-Services Public Relations, the statement was made on Saturday.
Gates also recognized Pakistan’s achievements in combating the Covid-19 epidemic, which Bajwa again claimed was due to a “true national response”Multiple agencies. Gates received a standing ovation from the Army Chief, who reportedly gave assurances to Philanthropist that he would continue his efforts in global health. “continued cooperation.”
On Tuesday, the country’s newly elected prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, also had a phone conversation with the billionaire philanthropist, receiving reassurances that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) will continue supporting Pakistan’s government to help ensure that no child is at risk of being paralyzed by polio.
The country had gone more than a year without a single new polio case – a feat that Gates hailed after traveling to Islamabad to meet with Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Imran Khan in February – but in April officials confirmed two new infections in 15 months.
Pakistan’s parliament elected Sharif as prime minister last month, after Khan was ousted in a no-confidence motion. Khan claimed his cabinet had been overthrown by the US in a conspiracy and Pakistan was being given to an accomplice. “imported government led by crooks.”
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Because of conspiracy anti-vaccination, Pakistan has faced a tough battle to inoculate its children against polio. In an attempt to stop vaccine drives, militias targeted public-health staff and their police protectors. In March, a female employee who administered polio shots to northwestern Pakistanis was killed and shot.
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