Gates to promote health projects in Bihar
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COMMENTS 
Microsoft chief Bill Gates has signed a memorandum of cooperation on behalf of his foundation with the Bihar government to work on health projects to eradicate polio, kala azar and tuberculosis in the state
Microsoft chairman and co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, on May 12, 2010, visited Alauli village in Bihar’s Araria district to assess the success of the anti-polio drive. He then went on to a tribal village in Banka for a field assessment.
“I am very impressed with the immunisation programme here. I look forward to working towards achieving our goal of all lives having equal value,” Gates said. Asked if he had any plans to work with the information technology sector in Bihar, he said: “As of now, health is the priority. We plan to work in the agriculture sector.”
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Bihar government to tackle polio, pneumonia, kala azar, tuberculosis and diarrhoea in select districts. State Health Secretary C K Mishra said the memorandum of cooperation was signed for five years.
Gates said the foundation would also initiate measures to reduce Bihar’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate. “We have watched Bihar making improvements on the health front. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and I had a conversation last July about it,” Gates said.
Accompanied by foundation officials, Gates arrived in Patna early in the morning and left for Gularia village in Khagaria and Tertariya village in Banka districts. During his visit, Gates interacted with the villagers.
Over 300 women associated with self-help groups welcomed their guest who asked them how they cared for pregnant women and lactating mothers and infants. The women spoke of the challenges they faced, but expressed confidence about meeting them. Self-help groups impart healthcare to women and children, provide basic medicines and manage minor welfare projects.
Gates praised the women’s efforts and then turned to his favourite subject: the computer as a window to the world. “How do you teach your children,” he asked. “Do you use computers to educate your children?”
Rajkali Devi, 27, said yes, the village children learnt to use computers at an early age. “Sir, your goal and ours is the same in some ways. Like your organisation, we too spread awareness and try to fight poverty,” she said.
Gates is reported to have adopted impoverished Gularia village on behalf of the foundation. The village, 180 km northeast of Patna, is populated by Musahars, one of the lowest dalit sub-castes. Khagaria district is home to the highest number of Musahars, whom Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has included in his ‘maha-dalit’ category as a community that needs urgent development.
“Bill Gates has decided to adopt the village to improve the villagers’ socio-economic condition. His foundation will open a health centre in the village,” said Sudhanshu Kumar, district police chief of Khagaria.
Foundation sources would not reveal what other plans Gates has for Gularia in Khagaria district that lacks drinking water, schools, hospitals and electricity. Official sources said Gates chose Gularia for adoption after receiving reports from his foundation’s ‘field officers’, and other NGOs.
Source: The Indian Express, May 12, 2010
The Telegraph, May 12, 2010
IANS, May 12, 2010