…Plus How the Coming of the Chinese Doctors Was Facilitated

By James Ezema

Chinese Doctors in Wednesday arrived Nigeria amid controversies over the clearance by the Nigerian authorities to visit Nigeria.

Many of the citizens who opposed what could be a COVID-19 intervention visit was because of the allegation that Coronavirus disease originated from Wuhan, and industrial hub in China.

As a result, when the Nigerian government hinted of the intention of some Chinese doctors to visit the country in an effort to assist Nigeria curtail the spread of the dreaded pandemic, not a few Nigerians stood in opposition.

They mostly feared that the visiting Chinese doctors may export the virus that is currently ravaging the world and causing mass deaths into Nigeria.

On arrival, the Federal Government authorities announced that the doctors were to undergo mandatory self-isolation for 14 days. This gave many citizens a sense of assurance and satisfaction.

However, what was not clear was the visit was facilitated and real reason for the visit by the Chinese medical personnel, despite the fact that the federal government of Nigeria has announced that he Chinese doctors were visiting the country with medical equipment and anti-Coronavirus kits.

The Street Reporters Newspaper gathered that the visit was facilitated by a Chinese construction corporation, which have been in operation in the country for a while.

…CCECC Speaks on Donated Equipment and the Chinese Doctors

The corporation, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), through its subsidiary China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), facilitated the donation of medical equipment and other basic medical necessities that could assist the country combat the pandemic.

This was confirmed by the Managing Director of the CCECC Nigeria, Mr Micheal Jiang in a statement personally signed by him.

According to him, with the approval of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and People’s Republic of China, the CRCC, through its subsidiary CCECC, is supporting Nigeria in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by making available necessary medical equipment and health consumables.

As part of its corporate social responsibility and assisted by the Nigerian government, “CCECC is delivering amongst others around 16-tons of test kits, ventilators, disinfection machine, disposable medical masks, N95 masks, medicines, rubber gloves, protective gowns, goggles, face shields, infra-red thermometers and other critical care items, through a chartered flight operated by Air Peace.”

The Chinese Doctors and equipment arrived in a chartered flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Wednesday, 8 April 2020.

On arrival, the items required by the Nigerian Government were handed over by CCECC to relevant authorities.

Considering its large number of employees in Nigeria, CCECC at its own cost, dispatched the “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.

“Members of the team also have relevant experience in the prevention and diagnosis of the COVID-19”, the statement observed.

The corporation assured that “all members of the working team have tested negative to COVID-19 and shall commence their stay in Nigeria by undertaking 14 days in quarantine.”

The primary purpose of the working team, the CCECC Nigeria’s Managing Director, was to escort the medical supply, provide guidance for their usage and distribution.

“They will also provide CCECC employees with critical and necessary healthcare assistance where necessary.

The team were said to had arrived with adequate Personal Protective Equipment (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.

“The team is not coming to treat COVID-19 patients in Nigeria”, the corporation further assured.

In keeping with its corporate value, “Stride with Nigeria”, CCECC is participating in the construction of two COVID-19 response facilities in the FCT for free as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities.

“The facilities are a 196-bed at “ThisDay Dome Treatment Centre,” in collaboration with Sahara Group and Arise News; and the 150-bed “Idu Depot Treatment Centre.”

Most Nigerians who were at a loss as to the actual intention of the visit by the combined team of Chinese Doctors who have already arrived the country are currently sleeping with their two eyes closed, particularly with the revelation that the doctor were not in the country to attend to the general public.