The Chinese Medical team which arrived Abuja, Nigeria, on April 8, has reportedly been unable to leave the country, following the unavailability of commercial flights to Beijing, the capital of China.
It was gathered that the Personnel had concluded their assignments, which included assisting with the installation of some equipment, and sharing their Covid-19 experience with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The 15-man team, which includes Experts in infectious diseases, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery, anaesthesiology, and a Journalist, had come to the country on the invitation of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC.
The Executive Director, CCECC, Mr. Jacques Liao, disclosed in Abuja, on Monday, that the team has been unable to leave the country, because there are no commercial flights available to airlift them back to China.
He explained that the Medical Experts are still at the Idu area of Abuja, where they are accommodated.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, had said during a briefing by the Presidential Task Force, PTF, on Covid-19, that he did not know the whereabouts of the Chinese visitors, stressing that they were not guests of the Federal Government, but that of the construction company, contradicting his earlier statements to Nigerians, which claimed that the Government of Nigeria had invited the Chinese Medics, and even received them officially, when they arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
However, shedding light on the situation, Liao stated that the personnel were supposed to spend one month in the country, adding that, they were issued three months visas.
His words: “They (Chinese Medical team) are waiting for their flight, and this depends on when the airspace would be opened. You know, they came by a charter flight, because of the personal protective equipment and other medical materials they brought, but they cannot go back by charter flight, so they are waiting for regular commercial flights.
“They are still here (in Abuja), and they would still assist the Ministry of Health anytime they require their assistance.”