Kolkata: West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim has expressed his wish to be a volunteer for the Covaxin Phase III trial. The Covaxin trial is scheduled to be held at the city-based National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED). The 62-year-old Firhad Hakim has also spoken to the NICED officials on this issue.
“I want to help people. If my contribution helps in the treatment of people then I will be more than happy. I am keen to be part of the programme (Covaxin Phase III trial),” Hakim told this agency Thursday.
Hakim is also the chairperson of the Board of Administrators (BoA) in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). He said that he has spoken to the NICED authorities about his wish. They will be conducting a health check-up on him to find out whether he is ‘fit’ to be part of the Covaxin trial.
“They (NICED officials) will conduct a health-check up on me. They will find out whether I am fit enough to be part of the trial or not. I am 62-year-old and they want to check whether my health will permit participation in the trial,” informed Hakim.
It was learnt that the NICED authorities have welcomed Hakim’s willingness to join the trial. They have also invited Atin Ghosh, another member of Board of Administrators of KMC, in- charge of the Health wing of the civic body to be part of the trial.
“We welcome Mr Hakim’s willingness to be part of the trial. This is a great gesture and we think this will set a good example for others too,” a NICED official said.
It was learnt that at least 1,000 volunteers will be roped in for the Covaxin Phase III trials in the city.