Chinese Medical team concludes assignment, stranded in Nigeria

The 15 Chinese medical team who arrived in Nigeria some weeks back has been reportedly stranded in the country due to unavailability of commercial flights to their country.

It was gathered that the personnel had concluded their assignment, which included assisting with the installation of some equipment and sharing COVID-19 experience with the Federal Government.

The 15-man team, which include experts in infectious diseases, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery, anesthesiology and a journalist, had come to the country on the invitation of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

The Executive Director, CCECC, Mr Jacques Liao, disclosed to our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, that the team had been unable to leave the country because there were no commercial flights.

He explained that the medical experts were still at the Idu area of Abuja where they were accommodated.

But 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-month visas. He said, “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 can’t go back by charter flight, so they are waiting for regular commercial flights.