COVID-19: Chinese doctors finally arrive Nigeria, 11 Facts You should Know About Their Invitation.
The long expected Chinese doctors have arrived the shores of Nigeria to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease experts say now have community transmission among locals
PICTURES: They were received today by the Honourable minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
BUT, what have you heard about them?
Below are some important FACTS you should know about Chinese Doctors in Nigeria.👇
1. Who Invited Them?
Federal government
2. How many are they?
The are a 15 member medical team.
3. What is their specialty?
The doctors are experts in infectious diseases, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery and anesthesiology.
4. What did they come with?
They arrived with 16-ton test kits, ventilators, disinfection machine, disposable medical masks, drugs, infrared thermometer and other items ordered by the Federal Government.
5. Will they treat patients?
No. The government said the Chinese medical team was not coming to treat patients but to train local manpower. According to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha,
‘’The professionals that have been invited from China are public health specialists and medical engineers that will support Nigeria’s capacity in managing the pandemic on advisory basis when necessary, while drawing from the experience of the Chinese.
‘’In no way shall there be case management and interface with patients. They will train our manpower, advise on procedures and methods, install and test the equipment donated before handing them over.”
6. If they will not directly make contacts with patients, then why are they in Nigeria?
The Minister of State for Health, Mamora, said the Chinese personnel were mainly experts in molecular laboratory testing, where we have only two indigenous experts currently serving seven laboratory centres.
He said the Chinese doctors were expected to help in setting up molecular laboratories around the country as well as upgrade and reconfigure existing ones.
7. Will they start working immediately?
No. They are to commence their stay in Nigeria by spending 14 days in quarantine according to the federal ministry of health.
8. Controversy/Opposition
The invitation has met stiff opposition by the Nigerian Medical Association, Lawmakers and some Nigerians. According to the NMA President, Francis Faduyile, in a statement Sunday: “it is a great disservice to the morale of the long-suffering frontline health workforce if the Government goes ahead to invite these Chinese doctors. The invitation demeans their sacrifices so far in this pandemic. We fail to see how the 18 man team would impact the current efforts in any significant way.”
9. Who will pay the chinese doctors?
The Chinese gesture had no financial implications to Nigeria according to Senator Mamora, Minister of state for health. The support coming from China is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by CCECC, a company with total value of infrastructure contracts worth over $10 billion in Nigeria.
10. Other countries that have requested for doctors from the Chinese Government
Apart from Nigeria, other countries that are worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic have also requested for help from China. They include the United States, Italy, Spain, France, Iran, Iraq, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Rwanda and many other African countries.
11. Conspiracy theories about China and chinese doctors in the midst of this pandemic
They are abound, but none has been proven beyond reasonable doubt. Moreover, they are beyond the scope of this article and the NIGERIAN HEALTH BLOG.
THE END
Sources:
Vanguard
Premium Times
TVC
Channels
