SHEKARAU LAYS FOUNDATION FOR N3.8BN HOSPITAL

Kano State Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has laid the foundation block of the N3.8 billion ultra-modern health centre to be built by the Healthcare Related Programme Trust Fund.

The Trust Fund was set up sequel to an agreement reached between American drug giants, Pfizer Inc. and the state government on the controversial 1996 Trovan clinical test in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony yesterday in Kano, Governor Shekarau said the case was left to linger in court by successive administrations for about 10 years before his administration negotiated for an out-of-court settlement.

Shekarau said he had travelled to the United Kingdom, the United States and other parts of the world in order to finalise the negotiation process which culminated in getting $75 million dollars as compensation. The governor revealed that out of the $75 million, $10 million was set aside for litigation, $30 million for the setting up of an ultra-modern health centre and $35 million for the victims of the meningitis drug test.

Governor Shekarau noted that the health centre became imperative considering the importance of diagnosis in medical service.

'Those who seek overseas medical services will tell you that there is nothing spectacular in seeking medical services abroad but the diagnosis. When an ailment is identified, the cure becomes very easy,' explained the governor.

While counseling the victims to have faith in the fact that a human life could never be compensated with anything, Governor Shekarau expressed hope that the Trovan clinical test would be the last to wreak havoc on the lives of Kano people.