CORONAVIRUS: Despite protests, Chinese medics to arrive Nigeria today

Despite calls from several citizens, including the Nigerian Medical Associations (NMA), to the federal government to set aside its plan to bring Chinese experts into the country, medical supplies and medics from China are arriving Nigeria today in response to Nigeria’s efforts to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), stated that medical supplies expected today include rubber gloves, ventilators, protective gowns, N95 masks, medicines, disinfection machines, googles, face shield, disposable gloves, and 16 tons of tests kits.

The company in a statement mentioned that it had the support of the Nigerian government and that all members of the working team have tested negative for coronavirus.

“This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility Programme to support Nigeria in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that is adversely affecting livelihoods and economies across the world by making available necessary medical equipment and health consumables,” it stated.

The statement aslo mentioned that the chartered flight will arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja today and items will be handed to the relevant authorities.

Considering its large number of employees in Nigeria, the statement said that CCECC at its own cost, will dispatch a 15-member working team from CRCC, 12 of whom are experienced medical professionals with expertise in infectious disease, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery and anesthesiology.

In addition, it said the working team are experts in the area of infectious diseases.