Billionaire philanthropist Mr Bill Gates will meet the Wipro Chairman, Mr Azim Premji, on Friday in a continuing effort to further healthcare initiatives in India.

As a part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a charitable entity that fights against poverty and disease in developing countries, the former CEO of Microsoft met up with several Union Ministers to discuss issues concerning healthcare for the poor in areas such as providing vaccines, sanitation and other services.

Chronicling his UP experiences on a blog, Mr Gates said: “The challenges of helping communities like this could be overwhelming. That is why I was so encouraged to meet Akhilesh Yadav and his staff. He is young — only 38-years-old — and something of a rising star in Indian politics.”

Sharing his experiences in Ujariaon, he blogged that about 2,000 people live in an area of 1 sq km and face challenges of garbage collection. Lauding the efforts of the healthcare workers for their family planning initiative, he said that despite challenges in reaching out to families across 11 cities, the workers are dedicated to helping local women educate and get them access to contraceptives, if needed.

Later, amidst tight security and body guards of his own, Mr Gates met the External Affairs Minister, Mr S.M. Krishna; Health Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, and the Rural Development Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh.

The Union Ministers are expected to travel to Washington DC on June 12, to discuss various issues and also on how Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation can contribute to assist India in many areas.

(with inputs from Ronendra Singh, New Delhi)

>venkatesh.ganesh@thehindu.co.in

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