The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has hailed the Pakistan Army for supporting the country’s national polio drive, particularly through the involvement of community leaders and influencers.

Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and BMGF President Christopher Elias held a meeting in Rawalpindi on Thursday and discussed the issues related to the country’s polio eradication drive.

Significantly, the meeting came a day after two police officers who were protecting a polio workers’ team were killed on Wednesday by unknown gunmen in its tribal province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Polio workers in the country often face violent threats and attacks. Over 100 workers have been killed since 2011.

Bajwa also acknowledged and appreciated the service rendered by polio health workers in Pakistan and termed it a national cause and a national effort. 

Appreciating the role of the BMGF in the eradication of polio from the world, he assured Elias of continued support from the armed forces.

(SAM)