Tue 04 June 2019:
The two men funded the bulk of a $100 million vaccine and disease fund 18 months ago
Bill Gates and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi reviewed progress on a $100 million fund to boost vaccines and fight disease. In a telephone call, the billionaire philanthropist and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, discussed efforts made toward fighting and preventing diseases and epidemics hindering development, particularly polio.
State news agency Wam said the two men spoke about the Reaching the Last Mile Forum, to be hosted by the UAE capital on November 19th-2019. At the previous event 18 months ago, Mr Gates, Sheikh Mohamed and the British government pledged $100 million to fight diseases including towards eliminating river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, which afflict millions worldwide.
“The fund reflects our long-term vision to save lives and put an end to neglected tropical diseases,” Sheikh Mohamed said at the time. In the phone call, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Gates underlined their successful anti-disease partnership which has so far resulted in controlling diseases affecting children and women around the world. They spoke of the importance of concerted action between regional and international humanitarian and charity organisations to ensure best results and practices in the field of healthcare and disease fighting.
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