Coronavirus: Why We Invited Chinese Doctors – FG

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has revealed that the federal government invited Chinese medical experts so as to learn how the Asian country solved the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He made this known on Friday in Abuja, at the Presidential Taskforce (PTF), briefing on COVID-19 in the country.

Naija News reports that controversy trailed the decision of the federal government to invite Chinese doctors to Nigeria.

Recall that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had asked Nigerians to blame President Muhammadu Buhari if there is an increase in coronavirus cases.

Reacting, Ehanire said Nigerian medical team would begin scientific engagement with the Chinese experts in a few days via video conferencing, while they were quarantined.

He said “As earlier mentioned, a 16-ton consignment of medical commodities and equipment worth USD 1.5 million arrived Abuja on Wednesday from Beijing, China, in a Nigeria registered charter flight.

“It was courtesy of Chinese companies working in Nigeria, along with a 15-member team of medical and technical advisers.

“The equipment includes 50 ventilators and an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which can be used in worst-case scenarios of COVID-19 treatment, when a ventilator is no longer effective.

“This ECMO machine, the export of which is restricted by many countries, may be the first and only one in Nigeria.

“The personnel from China were screened and tested for COVID-19 before departing their country, but nevertheless have been quarantined for 14 days.”