Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates Thursday appreciated Pakistan’s polio-eradication campaign during his maiden trip to the country.
Gates, who is visiting Pakistan for a day, landed early morning and held meetings with senior government officials, including a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, a statement from the PM Office said.
The philanthropist attended a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio Eradication, where he noted that despite COVID-19 restrictions, Pakistan has performed “amazingly” in eradicating polio.
Gates thanked the prime minister for inviting him and extending warm hospitality on his first-ever visit. He appreciated the efforts of the Pakistani leadership, health workers, and parents for working tirelessly to ensure polio never paralyses a child again.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, Prime Minister AJ&K Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khurshid, provincial health ministers Azra Fazal Pechuho and Ehsan Shah, representatives of international organisations, and senior officers attended the meeting, while deputy commissioners from across Pakistan joined via video link.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI‘s luncheon in honor of @BillGates
Mr. Bill Gates is visiting Pakistan at the special invitation of the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/zSYNI6ddki
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) February 17, 2022
Bill Gates visits NCOC headquarters
Meanwhile, the NCOC issued a statement saying that Gates, along with his delegation, visited the forum’s headquarters in Islamabad and attended its morning session. On the occasion, the philanthropist met NCOC chief and federal minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and SAPM Dr Faisal Sultan.
During the NCOC session, Gates and his delegation were apprised about the NCOC’s role and methodology, its achievements since the start of the pandemic, the recent COVID-19 situation across Pakistan and various restrictions imposed by the forums to control disease spread and ensure public safety and well being.
A comprehensive review of Pakistan’s efforts against COVID-19, along with a briefing on genome sequencing (prevalence of various variants in the country), was presented to the visiting dignitaries.
Hosted @BillGates at the NCOC this morning. Shared with him the work which has been done for covid response in Pakistan and the role played by @OfficialNcoc. Thanked him for the support provided by the @gatesfoundation. He was appreciative of the covid response effort in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/pasYqnJ2gq
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) February 17, 2022
President confers Hilal-e-Pakistan on Gates
Later in the day, President Dr Arif Alvi conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan — the second-highest civil award in the country —upon Gates in recognition of his meritorious services for the people of Pakistan, particularly for the eradication of polio.
Gates visits NEOC
The co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also visited the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Islamabad during his visit to Pakistan, a statement from NEOC said.
Gates visited Operations Room and the 1166 Helpline; he was also briefed on the successes and the challenges of the polio eradication programme in the country.
Source : GEOTV
