Bill Gates has committed that his Foundation will increase financial aid for Pakistan
The billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft’s founder and Chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates has announced the increase in Pakistan’s aid.
While praising the Pakistani government’s commitment to the eradication of polio, Chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates has committed that financial aid for Pakistan will be increased.
The announcement comes just days after it was declared by the Trump administration that all financial aid to Pakistan will be suspended.
The Microsoft founder also acknowledges the receipt of certain concept notes regarding innovations in the health sector, especially with regards to “strengthening mother and child care and reproductive health”, which he said were being analysed by a team of experts.
Minister for National Health Services (NHS) Saira Afzal Tarar said that a letter was received to the ministry in which Mr Gates praised the government’s commitment to the eradication of polio.
According to Ministry sources, Bill Gates suggests Director General (DG) of Health Dr Asad Hafeez should be chosen for communication between the ministry and Foundation.
The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology and improve the health and nutrition status of the country through promotional, preventive and rural services.
According to news agency the foundation was expected to increase their assistance, not only for the polio eradication programme but also in other sectors and Gates has nominated his technical team and it would hopefully meet the representatives of the ministry soon to finalize support in different sectors.
Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world with ongoing wild poliovirus transmission, alongside Afghanistan and Nigeria. In the last stage of polio eradication, Pakistan has made tremendous progress towards poliovirus transmission interruption and eradication.
Global health experts say stopping all polio transmission is possible by the end of this year. The full official, global eradication of polio could be declared by the end of this decade.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), also known as the Gates Foundation, is a private foundation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates.