Bill Gates proposes partnership with Bihar against polio, kala-azar

Patna. Chairman of Microsoft and philanthropist Bill GatesBill Gates has extended his support to the government of Bihar for the eradication of polio and kala-azar from the state. He said that his Bill & Melinda GatesMelinda Gates Foundation was ready to work with the government and all the partners in the polio effort to stop transmission in Bihar.

On Friday evening, he held a thirty-five minute long discussion with chief minister Nitish KumarNitish Kumar through video conferencing and they agreed upon working together on the complete elimination of polio and kala-azar.

US business magnate Gates praised Nitish for his endeavor in health programmes including ‘significant increase in childhood immunization.’

“Ultimately, we want to assure all parents that their children are safe from this crippling disease,” said gates from Hotel Taj in Mumbai.

From his side, Nitish updated Gates with the current status of routine immunization programme saying that it has been increased to 51 percent in 2008 from 11 percent in 1998-99 and vitamin A coverage improved from 8.9 percent in 2001 to 71 percent in 2008.

“Patients accessing our primary rural hospitals have increased from 40 per month in 2005 to 3000 per month in 2009,” chief minister apprised Gates.

They jointly agreed to commit to the extraordinary measures required to reach both the elimination of polio and kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis).

The polio eradication effort is at a critical juncture, as cases in India are largely restricted to a geographic area in western UP and northern Bihar. It is also believed that polio eradication was within sight.

Nitish, during discussion, referred ‘immense challenges’ in eradicating diseases and he sought the partnership of the Foundation for accelerating progress in the sector.

“We are indeed delighted and greatly encouraged that a person of your international eminence and commitment to human development is exploring how the Foundation can partner with Bihar for improvement in critical areas of public health.”

He praised the efforts of the Foundation in helping all people to lead healthy and productive lives and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.

“My government is fully committed to eliminating polio and kala-azar and is focusing intensively on these two diseases and other public health issues like routine immunization, maternal and new born care and nutrition in which the state has made substantial progress,” said Nitish.

Gates also appreciated the chief minister for his endeavor in vaccinating children who were hit in Kosi flood.

“I have a new appreciation for how challenging it is to vaccinate every child in the Kosi River Embankment,” he said adding that polio eradication could not be stalled just because it was difficult.

The Foundation has proposed the partnership with the government due to the magnitude of the problems and the demonstrated resolve of the state government led by chief minister Nitish Kumar to tackle these critical health concerns, said CM office.