Chinese community, others donate seven ventilators to Lagos 

The Lagos State Ministry of Health has announced the donation of seven ventilators to the ministry by the Chinese community, and others.

The ministry stated that this donation was made to four hospitals, adding that this is solely to aid in the management of medical emergencies in the state.

The Chinese Consular General to Nigeria, Chu Maoming, said, “There is still a long way to go to improve the intensive care treatment for many African countries due to the very high cost of intensive care, and the staff from ICU need to be well trained.

“Medical experts from china are in some African countries providing support. This is another joint effort between the countries in the fight against COVID-19. The Chinese community/Chinese companies and organisations, 2020 also donated some medical materials and equipment.

“In the past two years, the pandemic has posed great challenges to the whole world and people suffer great losses. The assistance from Nigerian hospitals and medical professionals has helped local Chinese communities to manage and cope with the pandemic. And we are donating these seven ventilators to four of the hospitals as a way of showing our thanks to the state Ministry of Health, and the medical staff. I am sure that the equipment will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and benefit more Nigerians and Chinese,” Maoming said.

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Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye expressed gratitude to the donors noting that the equipment will fortify the efforts of the Lagos state government, on emergency response.

Ogboye said, “This is not the first donation that the Chinese government is making to Lagos State in response to COVID-19. At the peak of COVID-19, we did receive quite a few consumables that were extremely useful in fighting off the wave.

“Now, we are receiving seven ventilators as part of the response to COVID-19, but medical practitioners realise that right now, we are trying to strengthen our emergency response in Lagos. And this will be extremely useful to strengthen Intensive Care Units (across general hospitals.

“Ventilators are not cheap equipment, and so, for the Chinese government to deem it fit to provide us with seven ventilators, we really do appreciate and express our gratitude. And we hope the ties between the two countries will continue, and that we too will be able to donate to the Chinese government,” he said.

Mr. Oyebanji Dada, who represented Afrimed said the training of staff and medical equipment installation will be done by Afrimed and Aeonmed.

In addition, he said, “Africamed with its mission to improve healthcare system helps to bridge the gap between China and Africa.”