INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr
Sania Nishtar met Bill Gates, co-chair, Bill - Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss pressing health and development needs in Pakistan.The
meeting took place in Washington on Monday.The Gates Foundation is a major supporter of global health and development around the world
In Pakistan, much of the foundation work to-date has been focused on eradicating polio, new vaccines introduction, and immunization
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries that are still reporting cases of the deadly wild polio virus
Sania Nishtar and Bill Gates discussed key foundation partnerships in Pakistan including the polio eradication program, routine immunization
and improving access to digital financial services for the poor.Pakistan is a leader in South Asia in using mobile money accounts
The Gates Foundation is supporting the expansion of this work through its local partner Karandaaz
This involves assisting the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) chaired by Dr
Sania Nishtar to explore upcoming opportunities in the digital financial services space to further support the needs of low-income
This would focus largely on health, education and livelihood challenges faced by BISP beneficiaries
Sania Nishtar and Bill also discussed innovative ways of addressing stunting and malnutrition in young children which is a high priority
area for the Government of Pakistan
The foundation will share research and best practices with the Government of Pakistan around addressing malnutrition to support the Prime
Minister multi-sectoral nutrition initiative being implemented under the Ehsaas poverty alleviation program
The Foundation remains committed to supporting the government and people of Pakistan in their mutual goal of alleviating poverty and
improving health outcomes in the country.TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified the content of the source
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