7th April, 2020
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), in Rivers State, has criticised the decision of the Federal Government to import 18 Chinese Doctors to fight the coronavirus.
The Rivers State NMA Chairperson, Dr. Obelebra Adebiyi, said the decision undermines the effort of health workers in Nigeria.
“Planned Chinese Doctors coming to are not at the instance of the Nigeria Doctors who have been doing their best in fighting the coronavirus. The doctors in Nigeria have been at the forefront of fighting the epidemic alongside other healthcare workers.
“So it was a shock to the Nigerian Doctors that the Federal Government has decided to bring Doctors from China. We really don’t know why they are coming and we don’t have a need for them. Our numbers are not overwhelmed yet by the epidemic. When the Covid19 broke, the NMA asked all Doctors who were hitherto on strike to return to work and call off the strike. What do they want to the Nigerian Doctors to do again?”
NMA via its Twitter handle in a reaction to the coming of 18 Chinese Doctors said “The lack of PPEs, grossly inadequate, test kits and test centres across the country are primordial issues begging for attention at this time.”