Bill Gates 'commends' PM Modi's leadership in combating Coronavirus
New Delhi/IBNS: Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his 'commendable' role in combating the deadly Coronavirus, which has infected more than 20,000 people in India including 652 deaths.
"We commend your leadership and the proactive measures you and your government have taken to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 infection rate in India, such as adopting a national lockdown, expanding focused testing to identify hot spots for isolation, quarantining, and care, and significantly increasing health expenditures to strengthen the health system response and promote R&D and digital innovation," he said in a letter to the PM available with media.
Bill Gates also lauded Modi for utilising technology to connect with people in his fight against COVID-19.
"I'm glad your government is fully utilising its exceptional digital capabilities in its COVID-19 response and has launched the Aarogya Setu digital app for coronavirus tracking, contact tracing, and to connect people to health services," it added.
"Grateful to see that you're seeking to balance public health imperatives with the need to ensure adequate social protection for all Indians," the letter said.
Last week, Melinda Gates announced an extra $150 million of funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation beyond the $100 million pledged earlier to help in treatments, development of vaccines and public health measures to tackle the outbreak.
They have worked extensively in India as well in eradicating polio and improving health, sanitation, farming, and financial services for the poor.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the major funding agencies to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
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