Chinese Doctors Arrival: NMA Rejects, Seeks Screening, Qualifications of Experts

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– As hospital pharmacists express fears over imported testing kits

Sequel to the arrival of the 15-man Chinese medical team in the country on Wednesday, in spite of general outcry against their invitation by the federal government, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has reiterated its stand against the Chinese team visit, while calling on government to ensure their thorough screening.

The NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile and the Secretary-General, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote, in a press statement Thursday evening, disclosed the position of the association on the development, as they requested the publication of the names, designations, and qualifications of the medical experts.

The statement reads: “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, designations/status, and qualifications of the so-called medical experts.

“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”.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) Pharm. (Dr) Kingsley Amibor has expressed the fears of his members about the safety of the imported testing kits and other materials the Chinese medical team came with, asking about their authorisation status.

Amibor, who spoke with Pharmanewsonline in an exclusive chat on the issue, said there is so much worry about the coming of the Asian medical team into the country, even though the federal government did not give heed to them. “Back here in Nigeria, there are fears too that the presence of these Chinese doctors may not really help much based on their antecedents from other countries.

“Another thing is the equipment brought in by the Chinese, how are we sure they are not contaminated with the virus? Who conducted tests on them? Who authorized release to other countries? Was it same China or World Health Organization (WHO) officials? If the answer to above question is positive, that is if there is independent confirmation that the test kits and other equipment are free of viral contamination, then the government can go ahead and distribute them for use by healthcare workers.

“But my take is that those equipment should not be used on Nigerian patients without first being subjected to tests by Nigerian authorities to be sure they are not contaminated with the virus”.

He further maintained the association’s stance regarding the operation of the team, saying “The Chinese doctors should not be left alone with our people, but will need to work with and through our medical doctors. They can share their experiences with the treatment protocols they applied in their country to treat their people with our Nigerian doctors. And if they apply such and do not achieve positive outcomes within a specified time limit, then they should try other options. But we should not depend entirely on these Chinese “experts”, he warned.

Reacting to the statement credited to the Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu who said 90 per cent of COVID-19 patients do not require treatment to recover, Amibor said reports have shown that Covid-19 patients fall into two broad categories, the first being those with mild symptoms who get well with symptomatic treatment and are subsequently discharged. While there are those with severe pneumonia which is usually life threatening. These ones will need ventilators to assist with oxygen flow.

Continuing, Amibor said “It is possible then that the so called Chinese experts may have been invited to help manage the category of patients needing ventilators to survive. They may have brought ventilators with them from China, in which case it will be necessary for them to educate their Nigerian counterparts on how to use the ventilators.

“But whatever they do, such ventilators must first be subjected to tests to confirm they are free from contamination with the virus. We are aware of reports from other countries that received similar equipment from China that were found to be defective or outrightly, contaminated with the virus’’.

He therefore cautioned the Nigerian government to be careful with the Chinese doctors and their equipment. It is comforting to hear that they will undergo 14 days quarantine before access to Nigerian healthcare workers.

The 15-man medical team from China arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday, with 16-ton test kits, ventilators, disinfection machine, disposable medical masks, drugs, infrared thermometer and other items ordered by the federal government.

They are said to be experts in infectious diseases, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery and anesthesiology.