The House of Representatives has picked holes in the explanations by the Federal Government on the status of the 15 Chinese doctors and health workers who came into Nigeria on April 8, 2020, with the claim of coming to assist the government in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.Moving the motion, Bagos recalled how the Federal Government, on April 3, 2020, announced that a team of medical personnel comprising doctors, nurses and other medical advisers would arrive in the country along with a plane-load of additional personal protective equipment.
Bagos also recalled that on April 8, 2020, the 15-member team arrived in the country and were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja by some government officials including Ehanire.
The lawmaker said on their arrival, the health minister issued a statement in which Ehanire said, “First of all, what the Chinese doctors will be doing Nigeria is capacity building, to add to the body of knowledge which Nigerian doctors and experts have… So the visit of this team is going to be very helpful to us… I have requested that they will be able to connect with our scientists and doctors via teleconferencing, so we can start right early to be able to ask questions and hear their narratives.”
Bagos said, “The House is concerned that before the coming of the Chinese medical team, COVID-19 data stood at 254 confirmed cases, with 44 successfully treated by the Nigerian medical personnel, with only six deaths who reportedly had other underlining ailments. Today, the data stands at about 5,959 cases, with 182 deaths. Yet, the nation has heard nothing as to the contribution of the supposedly Chinese medical team and their supposed medical expertise.”
The lawmaker also recalled how the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, reportedly said on May 4 that “The Chinese doctors have started working in isolation centres, helping the country in capacity building.’
He also quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Zhao Lijian, as saying the Chinese team was sent on the request of the Nigerian government who ‘had voiced welcome and gratitude to China’s help.’
Bagos said the House was now concerned that contrary to these statements, Ehanire on May 14, 2020, “in a new twist” reportedly told reporters not to bother his ministry over the whereabouts of the Chinese medical experts.
Bagos said, “The House notes that following the complaints and concerns of Nigerians, it is incumbent on us to duly investigate these issues, as it is our duty as lawmakers and as representatives of our constituents to protect the Nigerian citizens even while respecting or interacting with foreign nationals.”
Adopting the motion, the House mandated “the Minister of Health to give a detailed full status report of activities of the supposed Chinese medical team to the Speaker as agreed during their meeting of 7th April, 2020.
