The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed its dissent towards the Federal Government to invite an 18-man Chinese team of medical experts assist Nigeria in the fight against COVID-19.
The body in a statement issued by its president, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, advised the Federal Government to instead engage all key relevant Nigerian medical experts including NARD and present the full intents and purpose of the planned importation of the Chinese experts for full evaluation, cost-benefit analysis and consensus on the best option.
He further pointed to the illegality of such move by the Federal Government, noting that all doctors coming into Nigeria are supposed to be licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The statement read, “The attempt to import Human resources for Health from China into Nigeria where many qualified medical doctors and other cadres of health workers are yet to be gainfully employed is the height of insensitivity and disservice on the part of the Federal Government and their advisers.
“The challenge at hand would have been sufficient marker to agitate the FG to the direction and timing for massive employment of medical and other health care workers to provide enough hands in the industry to battle the COVID 19 as other nations are doing”.
The Minister for Health, Osagie Ohanire had on Friday stated that China is sending in more kits as well as doctors to support the government’s efforts in the fight against the virus.
