Saudi Arabia and Gates Foundation Join Forces to Fight Polio, Improve Global Health, and Alleviate Poverty
Riyadh – In a groundbreaking move, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Saudi aid agency KSrelief have teamed up to eradicate polio, enhance global health, and reduce poverty.
Expanding Partnership with Saudi Arabia
Speaking at the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Anita Zaidi, president of the foundation’s gender equality division, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
She emphasized the significance of the Kingdom’s $100 million contribution to the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, the largest multilateral development initiative in the Middle East, aimed at lifting the poorest populations out of poverty in 33 Islamic Development Bank member countries.
Humanitarian Relief Efforts in Gaza
Both parties have also dedicated $4 million as a relief grant to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focusing on providing health interventions and basic water and sanitation services for women and children in need.
Commitment to Global Polio Eradication
Saudi Arabia has pledged $500 million over the next five years to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, ensuring the delivery of vital health services and vaccines to underserved populations in collaboration with the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Supporting the Polio Legacy Challenge
Additionally, the Kingdom and the Gates Foundation have pledged $3 million and $15 million respectively over three years to support the Polio Legacy Challenge administered by the IsDB, with contributions from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar under the patronage of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Establishing Regional Office in Riyadh
To implement these initiatives, the Gates Foundation will set up a regional office in Riyadh, partnering with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation to support youth engagement and enhance the effectiveness of the third sector.
Women’s Health and Innovation
Anita Zaidi highlighted the importance of investing in women’s health and innovations to improve maternal mortality rates and overall global health outcomes. She emphasized the need to train and retain frontline health workers and implement new ideas and technologies to reduce deaths during pregnancy and delivery.
Global Health Alliance for Women’s Health
Zaidi noted the intersection of global health with other sectors and industries, underscoring the necessity of forums like the World Economic Forum to address these critical issues. The launch of the Global Health Alliance for Women’s Health aims to bring together diverse thinkers to tackle challenges in women’s health worldwide.