It is undeniable that there are fears over federal government’s invitation of Chinese doctors to Nigeria, to help in the battle against novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The invitation to the Chinese experts met stiff opposition from Nigeria doctors among other critics who held that the move was ill-timed.
Despite the warning by several bodies the government still went ahead with their decision. The Chinese doctors arrived yesterday April 8 2020.
Here are three major fears raised against the invitation of Chinese expert to Nigeria.
1. Issue of trust: Surge in Coronavirus cases in countries earlier visited by Chinese teams:
The National association of resident doctors, spoke strongly against the invitation of the Chinese team saying that, Chinese scientists could not be trusted, given how unreliably and covertly they had allegedly managed information about the pandemic. More disturbing are concerns raised over the impact of similar teams that visited Italy, United Kingdom among others where there was a surge recorded despite their (Chinese health workers) presence.
Similarly, The opposition party of the present government, PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) have expressed their fears concerning the arrival of the Chinese doctors, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Wednesday evening, said it was alarmed that President Buhari ignored the protests by Nigerians and professional bodies including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and allowed the importation of the Chinese doctors despite warnings that bringing in doctors from the hotbed of the plague would expose citizens to further risks. He went further to say that, “even as Nigerians across the board have continued to question the status, identity and interest of the Chinese doctors as well as the safety of kits and equipment from China, particularly following scary reports of escalation of the scourge in certain countries reportedly after the arrival of Chinese medical personnel in those countries.”
Also, the United Labour Congress has also argued, against the arrival of the Chinese Doctors. The union said the arrival of the Chinese doctors, might be a gift, with the intention of tricking and causing harm to Nigerians.
2. Violation of Nigeri’s Medical and Dental Council Act:
The Nigerian medical association raised concerns that the move is against the extant laws regulating the practice of medicine in Nigeria as enshrined in the Medical and Dental Council Act.
In a statement by his president, had said the association, received the report with great dismay and utter disappointment, he went on further to described the plan as an embarrassment to members and other health workers fighting COVID-19 under deplorable conditions.
Similarly. NMA President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, said for the physicians to practise in the country, they would have to go through the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), write examinations, and if they are successful, they could practise in the country. Faduyile also expressed grave concern that the government did not take into consideration the extant laws regulating the practice of medicine in Nigeria as enshrined in the Medical and Dental Council Act.
“This is one such circumstance where the Medical and Dental Council of Nigerian should be consulted to grant necessary approvals to foreigners to interact with Nigerian patients.
3. China being a hotbed of Covid-19 :
Some feared China is yet to overcome the Coronavirus crisis, those in this category believe that there were attempts by the Communist government in Beijing to change the narrative of their Covid-19 story.
This is what formed the standpoint of the Minority Caucus of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, they also opposed the visit of the Chinese experts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the lawmakers said inviting people from “the hotbed of the plague” could worsen the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria.
“The lawmakers express fears that bringing in Chinese medical personnel, whose status, intentions and scope cannot be easily ascertained and controlled is totally against our national interest,”