Pfizer victims set for another test
Members of the Trovan Victims Forum in Kano State have finally resolved to submit themselves to a Pfizer-sponsored DNA test.
The resolution by
the Mustapha Maisikeli-led forum, that was initially opposed to the DNA
test, came after the withdrawal of a suit they instituted against
Pfizer last year. The Executive Secretary of the trust fund, David
Odiwo, made this known at a press conference in Kano yesterday, after a
meeting with Pfizer representatives and officials of the Kano State
government.
Aliyu Umar, the Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, stood in for the the state government.
Mr Odiwo said that
the victims are now ready to subject themselves to due process. He said
that in the next two weeks a team of experts from America will arrive
to resume the DNA exercise aborted due to court injunction engendered
by litigation. According to him, there are well over 600 people who
collected forms, but in reality the victims are 200, hence the conduct
of DNA test to ascertain true claimants.
Mr Odiwo assured that immediately after the DNA test, results will
be announced and payment of compensation will commence, explaining that
the healthcare centre located at Dawakin-Kudu area is expected to
operate autonomous, just like the one in Uganda is being run. He
explained that the essence of running the health care centre was aimed
at attracting funds and sponsorship from foreign donors.
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