Chinese medical supplies and medics are arriving Nigeria on Wednesday in response to Nigeria’s efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
According the Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), among the items being expected are; 16-tons of test kits, ventilators, disinfection machine, disposable medical masks, N95 masks, medicines, rubber gloves, protective gowns and goggles.
Others are face shields, infra-red thermometers and other critical care items, which are coming through a chartered flight operated by Air Peace.
CCECC, a multi billion dollar contractor in Nigeria, is the main company responsible for the shipment of medical supplies and Chinese medics into Nigeria.
The coming of Chinese medics and medical supplies into the country had caused disagreement between the Federal Government, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
It would be recalled that on April 4, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said 18 Chinese doctors were coming to Nigeria with medical supplies including ventilators, to assist in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
This announcement led to NMA issuing a communique on April 6 rejecting the invitation of Chinese doctors into the country in the guise of offering assistance.
The association its president, Dr. Francis A. Faduyile, said they were not consulted before the decision was made.
Other public commentators and experts also called on the Federal Government to dump the idea of bringing the Chinese experts to the country.
However, the government has insisted that it needed every help it could get in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
The CCECC in a statement noted that all members of the working team have tested negative to COVID-19 and shall commence their stay in Nigeria by undertaking a 14-day quarantine.
It said that it had the backing of the Federal Government of Nigeria, its home government and its mother company – the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) – after exhaustive deliberation on how to help the country check the outbreak of the coronavirus, through it’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) programme.
CCECC noted that its goal is 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.
The statement revealed that the chartered flight is due to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Wednesday, adding that;
These items required by the Nigerian Government will be handed over by CCECC to relevant authorities.
The statement revealed that considering its large number of employees in Nigeria, 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.
The statement noted that members of the team also have relevant experience in the prevention and diagnosis of the COVID-19.
It said that the primary purpose of the working team is to provide CCECC employees with critical and necessary healthcare assistance.
CCECC added that;
They are also coming with adequate PPE and medical items for the employees. In addition, under the directive of Chinese Embassy and in response to the Nigeria Government’s request, the working team may also share with Nigerian medical teams effective methods on how to contain the COVID-19 and provide advice on the use of relevant medical equipment.
In addition, the CCECC is participating in the construction of two COVID-19 response facilities in the FCT for free as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).
The facilities are a 196-bed “ThisDay Dome Treatment Centre,” in collaboration with Sahara Team and Arise News; and the 150-bed “Idu Depot Treatment Centre.”
