Despite repeated assurances by the federal government, which has appealed to medical professionals in the country to see the coming of the Chinese medical team as a positive addition to aid the fight against the deadly coronavirus, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday opposed the entering of the Chinese doctors.
Speaking at a meeting between the leadership of the lower legislative chamber and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and the Minister of State, Olorunnimbe Mamora, in Abuja, the speaker insisted that they (Chinese) must be made to undergo the necessary check protocols by self-isolating for 14 days once they arrive Nigeria.
Gbaja argued that the measure became necessary to allay the fears of many Nigerians, who believe the presence of the Chinese medics was a major risk to Nigerians, amid international concern that China was not forthcoming about the threat posed by the deadly virus. The two ministers however assured him that the 18 Chinese doctors would not have personal contact with patients during their stay.
The controversy erupted after 14 new confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Nigeria. Out of the number, 13 were reported in Lagos and 1 in Delta State. The total number of confurmed cases in the country as at 9:30 pm Nigerian time on Thursday is 288. Fifty-one have been discharged with seven deaths. A breakdown of the cases according to states shows that Lagos presently have 158 cases, FCT- 54, Osun- 20, Edo- 12, Oyo- 11, Bauchi- 6, Akwa Ibom- 5, Ogun- 4, Kaduna- 5, Enugu- 2, Ekiti- 2, Rivers-2, Kwara- 2, Delta- 2. Benue- 1 Ondo- 1 and Katsina-1.
Besides the House speaker, the Lagos State government also said yesterday that it would only welcome molecular biologists and logisticians if they are part of the Chinese delegation. The Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who was giving updates on the covid-19 epidemic, said the state was only in need of molecular biologists and logisticians. He maintained that Lagos was ready to accept any molecular biologists and logisticians from any part of the world. Abayomi added that there was need for collaboration in tackling the pandemic, adding that China had experience managing the virus.
Besides, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) also faulted the engagement of the Chinese. In a statement yesterday in Abakaliki, its national president, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, preferred professionals from India or Cuba. Also yesterday, the Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders (COSEYL) described as a “suicide mission” the ‘importation of Chinese medical experts’ by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to manage the epidemic. A statement by its president and secretary, Goddluck Ibem and Kanice Igwe, stated that their coming would worsen the situation.
But the Secretary to Government of the Federation and chairman of the Presidential Task Force PTF on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who spoke yesterday in Abuja, asserted: “In no way shall there be case management and interface with patients. They will train our manpower, advice on procedures and methods as well as install and test the equipment donated before handling them over.” Mustapha pointed out that government recognizes and respects the competence and capability of Nigerian doctors and other medical personnel in the country. “This is a state of war against the coronavirus and time should not be devoted to unhelpful controversies,” Mustapha pleaded.
The SGF noted that the restrictions in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja had been substantially complied with. “We shall prepare a full assessment by the end of the week in order to advise Mr. President on the next step to take before the expiration of the 14-day lockdown,” he stated.