The Nigerian Medical Association has issued a fresh statement rejecting the Nigerian Government’s move to enlist the help of Chinese Doctors in battling the COVID-19 Pandemic in the country.
On Wednesday evening, 15 Doctors arrived from China aboard Airpeace along with medical supplies to help with the fight against Coronavirus in Nigeria.
Read the Full Statement below;
“The Nigerian Medical Association in furtherance of her responsibility to the Nigerian people wishes to reiterate her earlier stance on the rejection of the visiting Chinese “Medical Experts” at this time even as the Federal
Government (FG) has rebuffed all entreaties. We wish to clarify our informed resistance to the visit by this team from China.”
“We are not against the receipt of donor support and equipment. We rather are against pulling the wool over our eyes going by the recent statement issued by the Managing Director of the Chinese donor firm operating in Nigeria that the medical personnel will be treating Chinese workers in their facilities. We are taken aback at this statement as this is at variance with the information supplied by the Honourable Minister of Health. We
wish also to ask when Medical expatriates started coming to Sovereign States to treat her nationals? What happens to the Nigerians working in those facilities?”
“We are aware that the Chinese team will provide “CCECC employees with critical and necessary healthcare assistance”, as stated by the Managing Director of CCECC.” It does not seem likely that the team will NOT have contact with Nigerian patients as the Presidential Task Force (PTF) will have us believe. CCECC has Nigerian workers among her employees.”
“We call on all healthcare professionals to be wary of uncertified Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from China. We demand a thorough screening of the so-called medical team of experts by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulatory bodies to verify their status, as we call on the Federal Government to publish the names and designation of the “Medical experts”.”
“We note that the consistent and progressive neglect of the Health sector and health care workers have left the industry debilitated, leading to the mass exodus of healthcare workers to greener pastures. Those left behind
are working “magic” with bare hands. We, therefore, believe this is the time to look inwards and deploy mobilized resources to strengthen our systems.
“The NMA in recent times has been at the vanguard calling on the Government to revive the health sector and trigger brain gain. The Government has continued to “shift the post” in explanation regarding this Chinese invitation. First, it was that these were mere donations, then to experts rendering assistance to set up test laboratories and now to the experts treating patients. No country allows foreigners to jump on their patients and manage without regulation”
“We are aware of the “Stride with Nigeria” mantra of the CCECC and their willingness to participate in the construction of two isolation centres in Abuja. This gesture is no different from that of Corporate Nigeria so
far, including the world-class isolation centre constructed and donated by Guaranty Trust Bank to the Lagos State Government without the help of Chinese experts. Unless there is something else, we don’t know.”
“We wish to respectfully request the Presidential Task Force to deal with the genuine concerns of her people including all the professional bodies that have spoken out against this curious decision to engage the Chinese
at all cost. A recipient of donations is still at liberty to pick and choose.”
“We will continue to monitor this uncomfortable relationship with the so-called Chinese personnel. We shall not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to protect our long-suffering fellow citizens against any form of
medical exploitation.”
“We reaffirm our belief in the ability of the Nigerian healthcare professionals especially those at the frontlines to continue to do their best for our country as we continue to reject this “Greek Gift” from CCECC at this time.”
The medical professionals that are part of the Presidential Task Force should remember that their constituency is the medical community and should therefore protect it otherwise they would be encouraging powers that be to rubbish the profession. They should be bold enough to tell the powers that be what the rules and regulations of the medical practice entails in Nigeria.