The way the state tackled the issue of dense population and various social challenges is highly commendable, Melida Gates noted.

By VIRENDRA SINGH RAWAT

LUCKNOW, Dec 7 (The CONNECT) - Philanthropist and the co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates today termed Uttar Pradesh as a “global model” for its achievements in sectors including health, financial inclusion, nutrition, education and women empowerment.

In a tweet, Melinda said: “It was an hono(u)r to meet @myogiadityanath...UP has made huge strides in health and social development. We're committed to supporting the government's vision and priorities.”

She had called upon UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and discussed cooperation in health, nutrition and agriculture even as she appreciated the state for Covid management and control of disease like encephalitis.

“The way the state tackled the issue of dense population and various social challenges is highly commendable,” Gates noted.

The Foundation has been working in the field of health and social security. “It is a matter of happiness that we are able to provide facilities to the weakest and last person of the society. We intend to further improve our relations with UP in the coming times.”

Talking about possibilities of development in UP, Gates said the achievement in terms of infra development in the past few years is unprecedented.

• Melinda meets Assembly Speaker Satish Mahan

She congratulated women’s self-help groups for the success of the nutrition mission and praised the efforts to increase rural income by promoting FPOs in the state.

Yogi said the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had made a commendable contribution in health and nutrition. “UP received logistics and technical support from the Foundation amidst the challenges of Covid.”

He maintained UP had attained improvement in the field of health and on many parameters, the state’s performance is better than the national average.

Yogi said during the Covid-19 outbreak, there were no ICU and ventilator facilities in 36 districts. However, he added, the state ensured the availability of ventilator and ICU by developing dedicated Covid hospitals in all the districts.

The CM has invited Gates to participate in the proposed UP Global Investors Summit to be held in Lucknow during February 10-12, 2023.

Melinda also called on UP Legislative Assembly Speaker Satish Mahan and took twitter to thank him “for sharing your priorities in health, nutrition, gender, and development. We are encouraged by your vision and glad to work with you toward these critically important goals.”