Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, held a telephone conversation on Wednesday and exchanged views on COVID-19 situation and efforts for polio eradication in Pakistan.
PM Imran shared Pakistan’s policy to control and mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on health and economy and apprised Gates of the country’s coordinated efforts being implemented through ‘smart lockdowns’ aimed at saving people from dying from the virus and hunger.
Noting the surge in COVID-19 cases, the premier underscored the government’s commitment to combat the second wave through firm actions.
PM Khan, however, noted that presently, implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) was more challenging.
Thanking the Gates Foundation for its critical support in building Pakistan's emergency management capacity for polio eradication, Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted that anti-polio campaigns are being intensified across the country.
On the occasion, Bill Gates acknowledged Pakistan's efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic while stimulating economic growth.
PM Imran and Bill Gates agreed to continue working together on the shared objectives of eradicating polio and combating the COVID-19 pandemic.