PR No. 36 Bill Melinda & Gates Foundation stands with Pakistan for a Polio free Future Delegation reaffirms commitment during meeting with the Prime Minister’s Focal Person Islamabad: December 05, 2018

A senior delegation of Bill Melinda and Gates Foundation (BMGF) met with Prime Minister’s focal person for polio eradication Babar bin Atta at the Prime Minister office today. According to a press release issued by National Emergency Operation Centre Islamabad, the meeting was held after the tele-conversation between the Prime Minister Imran Khan and Mr. Bill Gates early morning. Dr. Jay Wenger, the Foundation Director on Polio, congratulated Babar Bin Atta on his nomination as the Prime Minister focal person at such a critical time. “The country is in good position to build on the momentum gained through one team approach practiced at the dynamic network of Emergency Operations Centres. Bill Melinda & Gates Foundation is happy to be part of this partnership and would stay the course till the job is done”, Jay stated. Mr. Babar briefed the delegation on the progress and remaining challenges faced by the country programme as well as the strategies being put in place. “The last lap is always difficult, but we would ensure reaching our goal the soonest”, said Babar. He also thanked the BMGF contributions for supporting the Polio Eradication Initiative over the years both in Pakistan and globally. Present on the occasion, Dr. Rana Safdar, National Coordinator briefed the delegates onthe implementation status of the National Emergency Action Plan 2018-19 till date. “Case decline is encouraging but the job is not yet done. The programmes aims to go with full force in areas with remaining immunity gaps that are shrinking within the traditional core reservoirs of Karachi, and shared corridors of transmission with Afghanistan”, Dr. Safdar remarked. The delegation appreciated the commitment of the Government of Pakistan across Political divide as depicted during meeting of the National Task Force chaired by the Prime Minister on 9th November. They expressed the confidence that remaining challenges within country and at shared borders will be overcome by closely working together with Afghanistan. *****

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