Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Bill Gates held a telephone conversation over polio eradication derive in Pakistan on Wednesday, the military’s media wing said.
According to a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the call was in the backdrop of polio eradication drive in the country.
"Bill Gates appreciated Pakistan Army’s help in enabling the anti-polio campaign through provision of security, monitoring and bridging of capacity gaps," the statement said.
The army chief said that it was a national duty and Army played a part in the significant initiatives undertaken by the government of Pakistan and healthcare departments of the provinces.
The healthcare workers who played the most important part in polio drive had also acted as the frontline defence against Covid-19, General Bajwa said.
The COAS said that despite Covid-19 outbreak in the country, Pakistan Army in support of the government’s efforts had made preparations to restart the anti-polio campaign in the coming weeks.
Both discussed the challenges in face of current and future Pandemic threats and efforts to enhance the resilience of population through education, flexible healthcare management and use of technology.
COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa thanked Bill Gates for his foundation's efforts towards the noble cause and said that every initiative aimed at betterment of Pakistan and its people would be fully supported and appreciated.