PHOTO: Chinese Doctors Finally Arrive Nigeria To Help Fight Coronavirus

Some doctors from China have arrived in Nigeria on the request of the federal government to help fight Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The government invited the Chinese doctors despite opposition by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

The foreign doctors are expected to work with the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

THE WHISTLER had reported that the NMA had expressed disappointment at the invitation of the Chinese doctors, adding that the move was an embarrassment to the country.

“It is a thing of embarrassment to the membership of the Association and other health workers who are giving their best in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic under deplorable working conditions, and a fragile health system to be subjected to the ignominy of not being carried along in arriving at such a decision.

“The lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), grossly inadequate test kits and test centres across the country, and the absolute lack of any form of insurance for the workforce are primordial issues begging for attention at this time.

“We are therefore profoundly dismayed to learn that the Federal Government is instead inviting the Chinese who from available accounts are not out of the woods themselves. The spike in cases and the death toll from COVID -19 in Italy coincided with the arrival of the Chinese in the guise of offering assistance. Even the United Nations has only just recently commended the efforts of Nigeria so far,” the body had said.

Meanwhile, following criticisms against the federal government, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, had said the Chinese were coming to the country on the invitation of the China’s construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

“One major support that has attracted public commentaries is the offer by CCECC, a Chinese company to import about 256 equipment and items in different quantities, notable amongst which are, 1,300,000 medical masks, over 150,000 pieces of assorted personal protective equipment as well as 50 medical Ventilators,” said Mustapha.