Co-chairman Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, on Wednesday telephoned Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed polio eradication drive in Pakistan.
Microsoft founder Gates also discussed with the premier the current health situation in Afghanistan and expressed concern over efforts to eradicate polio so that the Afghans can remain safe from the disease and also, to protect Pakistan’s gains towards the virus.
Prime Minister Imran urged Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Gates to consider providing humanitarian assistance to poverty-stricken people in Afghanistan, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
He highlighted that more than half of the population in the war-torn country was living below the poverty line and is in dire need of financial assistance.
Gates also praised Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate the disease and at the same time, pledged his continued support against the disease so that no child in Pakistan is paralysed due to polio in the future.
The premier also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to end all forms of polio in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran told Gates that Pakistan had reported only one case of wild poliovirus this year and the progress against the virus is positive.
