About 17 medical experts and consignment donated by Chinese construction firm (CECC), Wednesday evening arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This was despite the opposition that greeted federal government’s decision to invite medical doctors from China to assist Nigeria in the fight against the coronavirus disease, which has infected more than 276 persons and killed six persons in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had rejected the plan, with the NMA contending that it would dampen the morale of Nigerian health workforce.
“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,” the NMA said in a statement by its President, Dr. Francis Faduyile.
The association urged the federal government to rescind the decision in the overall interest of the country.
Similarly, the TUC also urged the federal government to drop the jettison the idea, stating that the move was necessary since Nigerian doctors were capable of combating the pandemic.
In a statement issued yesterday by its President, Mr. Quadri Olaleye, and the Secretary-General, Mr. Musa-Lawal Ozigi, the union said the minimal number of infection and deaths was a proof that the country was not doing badly in the handling of the situation.
“Truly, the Chinese authorities have done well by not recording more cases in their country. It is novel and also shows how proactive and committed they are to the crises.
That notwithstanding, we insist that we do not need them now; rather we shall continue to adhere to the precautions reeled out by the health professionals to make the job easy,” it said.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Chinese Ambassador and other top officials from both countries received the medical supplies, which the Ambassador said was valued at about $1.5 million.
Ehanire explained that the medical supplies would be used to help contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in Nigeria.