The Federal Government has blasted those that are against the importation of an 18-member Chinese team of medical experts, including doctors, nurses and public health advisers, to share experiences on how to combat the coronavirus in Nigeria.

Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha revealed that nations all over the world need all the available help right now and the almighty United States of America is not excluded.

According to him, the Chinese experts will only be brought in to share their experiences and expertise since they are not accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to ply their trade in Nigeria.

He added that no other nation has greater experience than China when it comes to managing the COVID-19.

His words, “One major support that has attracted public commentaries is the offer by CCECC, a Chinese company to import about 256 equipment and items in different quantities, notable amongst which are, 1,300,000 medical masks, over 150,000 pieces of assorted personal protective equipment as well as 50 medical ventilators. The company has also proposed, on its own, to sponsor public health experts to help strengthen our public health capacity and advise on processes and procedures.

“However, I wish to clarify that all Countries of the world are seeking assistance and are receiving help in the fight against COVID-19. Even the ‘almighty’ United States is looking for heal elsewhere. The support coming from China is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by CCECC, a company with a total value of infrastructure contracts worth over $10 billion in Nigeria. 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 the 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.

“I, therefore, use this medium to appeal to our medical professionals to see the positive aspects of this gesture as an extension of development in the field of medicine. The PTF recognizes and respects the competence and capability of Nigerian Doctors and other medical personnel. This is a state of war against the coronavirus and time should not be devoted to unhelpful controversies.”