$1.5 Million CCECC Medical Equipment, personnel arrive Nigeria

Oru Leonard

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, along with the top Chinese and Nigerian officials received the medical supplies which are estimated to cost $1.5 million and the accompanying medical team from China.

The donations which came with the backing of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and People’s Republic of China, China Railway Construction Corporation (‘CRCC’), through its subsidiary China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (‘CCECC’), is to support Nigeria in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that is adversely affecting livelihoods and economies across the world by making available necessary medical equipment and health consumables.

The Managing Director of CCECC, Mr Micheal Giang, in a press release yesterday said with the assistance of the Nigerian Government, CCECC has delivered about 16-tons of test kits, ventilators, disinfection machine, disposable medical masks, medicines, rubber gloves, protective gowns, goggles, face shields, infra-red thermometers and other critical care items, through a chartered flight operated by Air Peace.

The chartered flight arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on 8 April 2020, as scheduled and the items were handed over by CCECC to relevant authorities.

According to Giang, “Considering its large number of employees in Nigeria, CCECC at its own cost, will dispatch a 15-member working team from CRCC, 12 of whom are experienced medical professionals with expertise in infectious disease, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery and anesthesiology. Members of the team also have relevant experience in the prevention and diagnosis of the COVID-19.

“All members of the working team have tested negative to COVID-19 and shall commence their stay in Nigeria by undertaking 14 days in quarantine. The primary purpose of the working team is to escort the medical supply, provide guidance for their usage and distribution.

“They will also provide CCECC employees with critical and necessary healthcare assistance where necessary. They are also coming with adequate PPE and medical items for the employees. In addition, under the directive of Chinese Embassy and in response to the Nigeria Government’s request, the working team may also share with Nigerian medical teams effective methods on how to contain the COVID-19 and provide advice on the use of relevant medical equipment. The team is not coming to treat Covid-19 patients in Nigeria.

“Finally, in keeping with its corporate value, “Stride with Nigeria”, CCECC is participating in the construction of two COVID-19 response facilities in the FCT for free as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities. The facilities are a 196-bed at “ThisDay Dome Treatment Centre,” in collaboration with Sahara Group and Arise News; and the 150-bed “Idu Depot Treatment Centre”, he assured.