PM acknowledges Global Fund as critical partner of Pakistan in improving healthcare system

ISLAMABAD, Jun 9 (APP): Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday acknowledged the Global Fund as a critical partner of Pakistan in improving its healthcare system and appreciated the fund’s significant role and contribution in improving public health in the developing world.

The prime minister met the Global Fund delegation here led by Mark Edington of the Global Fund’s Grant Management Division alongside other members including Senior Portfolio Manager Izaskun Gaviria and Deputy General Counsel Natasha Heffinck, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.

Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the delegation on their arrival in Pakistan and underlined that the country valued ??its partnership with the Global Fund.

He highlighted that the government was committed to eliminate the spread of TB, HIV and malaria from the country and was making full efforts in this regard.

“Your partnership is strengthening our efforts to eliminate HIV, tuberculosis and malaria from Pakistan,” the prime minister said.

He also directed to form a joint working group between the Government of Pakistan and the Global Fund regarding the prevention of HIV virus.

The officials of the Ministry of National Health apprised the delegation of the government’s efforts regarding the prevention of TB, HIV and malaria in Pakistan.

The delegation thanked the government of Pakistan for hosting it in the country and appreciated the steps taken by the government to eliminate tuberculosis, HIV and malaria and reiterated its partnership with Pakistan to eliminate these diseases.

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Control Ayesha Raza Farooq and relevant senior government officials were also present in the meeting.