Chinese medical team concludes assignment, stranded in Nigeria, says CCECC director Liao

Chinese medical experts 

The Chinese medical team which arrived on April 8 has 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 assignment, which included assisting with the installation of some equipment and sharing COVID - 19 experience with the Federal Government.

Recall that the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, had said during a briefing by Presidential Task Force 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.

However, Nigerians on social media has expressed their disappointment in the minister over his statement and the Federal Government for not being sincere to them on the invited Chinese doctors.




Similarly, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had also expressed shock over the Minister’s statement, saying that his statement had heightened apprehensions in the public space that the Chinese team, whose identity and activities have been shrouded in secrecy, might have been brought in by a certain cabal for another purpose outside the general public good.

The party gave the federal government 48 hours ultimatum to declare the whereabouts of the Chinese medical team.


But shedding light on the situation, the Executive Director, CCECC, Mr Jacques 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.

“They are still here (in Abuja) and they would still assist the Ministry of Health anytime they require their assistance.”