News Investigators/ The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) says the Chinese medical team that arrived Nigeria Wednesday are not going to treat coronavirus patients but instead would provide guidance for the usage and distribution of medical supplies by China.
The clarification is coming on the heels of outright rejection of the team in the treatment of Covid-19 patients by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
CCECC said “the primary purpose of the working team is 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. They are also coming with adequate PPE and medical items for the employees,” CCECC Managing Director in Nigeria, Michael Jiang said in a statement Wednesday.
“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,” Mr. Jiang added.
According to him, “with the backing of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and People’s Republic of China, China Railway Construction Corporation (‘CRCC’), through its subsidiary China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (‘CCECC’), is supporting Nigeria in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that is adversely affecting livelihoods and economies across the world by making available necessary medical equipment and health consumables.
“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.
He explained further that considering its large number of employees in Nigeria, CCECC at its own cost, will dispatch a 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.
“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.
“Finally, 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,” he added.
