Gates Foundation signs MoC with Bihar Government in child health

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chairperson and founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates was in Patna on May 12, 2010 for a one-day tour to Bihar.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Health Department of the Bihar Government to develop and implement innovative solution and accelerate improvements in maternal, newborn and child health.

“This MoC underscores the agreed upon goals, programme areas, roles and responsibilities expected of each party," Bill Gates said.

The objectives of the MOC is to ensure increase in the availability, quality and utilisation of priority family health services and interventions, including nutrition and immunisation and reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality by developing and implementing innovative solutions, he added.

He said it would also improve the delivery of timely diagnosis and appropriate care for tuberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhoea using the public and private sectors to improve the reach and coverage and quality of health services, he said.

Earlier Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar felicitated Bill Gates at his office.
Photos: Aftab Alam Siddiqui