Nasarawa and US firm sign accord to boost health care



PRESS RELEASE February 16, 2001

Nasarawa State Government and an American Health Consulting Firm, Adam and Associates International Inc. have signed a memorandum to facilitate the improvement of the state’s health care system.

Under the memorandum, the American Export Import Bank [EXIM] is to grant a US$50 million loan facility to the state government aimed at improving the healthcare delivery system in the state.

The package is part of a US$250 million medium term healthcare loan promised to Nigeria by former US President Bill Clinton when he visited the country last year. Eight states of the Federation are to benefit form the US$250 million loan package.

The signing of the agreement between Nasarawa State and the American consulting firm followed a three-day discussion by officials of the two parties in Lafia, the state capital.

Speaking during a courtesy visit on him by officials of the consulting firm, Governor Adamu said that the state would use the loan to develop 5 new specialized hospitals in the state.

Governor Adamu further said that the loan, when granted, would improve significantly, the healthcare delivery system in the state.

He said the provision of adequate and improved health service was among the priorities of his administration, and assured that the government would not fail the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Nasarawa state Commissioner for Health, Hajia Ramatu Ajuji Abubakar said the loan has a payback period of four years. She however said that negotiations on the interest rate on the loan are still a subject of negotiations.

The six-man delegation of Adam and Associates International Inc. was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Susan W. Adam

She explained that her firm was in Nasarawa State to assess the health needs of the people, and promised that the delegation would do a thorough work in appraising the health situation of the State.


RABIU ABDULLAHI
Director of Press Affairs to the Governor
Nasarawa State