ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, agreed to continue working together, on the shared objectives of combating the COVID-19 pandemic and eradicating polio in the country, the prime minister’s office said.
A statement from the prime minister’s office, yesterday said, Khan held a telephone conversation with Gates on the day and exchanged views on the COVID-19 situation and polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.
Khan shared Pakistan’s policy to control and mitigate the deleterious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and economy.
The prime minister noted the surge in COVID-19 cases and underscored the government’s commitment to combat the second wave. He, however, noted that implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) is more challenging this time, according to the statement.
Pakistan yesterday reported 2,963 new COVID-19 cases with 60 deaths during the last 24 hours.
Khan acknowledged the Gates Foundation’s continued support of a programme, which would help the most vulnerable segments of Pakistan’s population benefit from its expertise in health, nutrition and finance.
Pakistan’s Minister for Planning and Development, Asad Umar, said, the prime minister is expected to chair a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on COVID-19 today, to review the latest situation in the country and take necessary decisions.
