Last updated on May 18th, 2020 at 06:07 pm

Chinese authorities refuse medical assistance to Russian sailor amid the COVID-19 outbreak

According to Financial News, Chinese authorities denied medical assistance to a Russian sailor amid the situation with the coronavirus, told the head of the SEAFARERS’ UNION OF RUSSIA, YuriSukhorukov.

Sukhorukov said that the chief mate of the BBC St. Petersburg vessel needed help (flag of Antigua and Barbuda). He had complications after a toothache.

“In the current epidemiological situation, the shipowner’s agent informed the ship’s captain that the Chinese authorities refused to provide the necessary medical care, citing the need for a 14-day quarantine before visiting the medical facility, and the lack of a free room for compulsory quarantine after the operation,”

Yuri Sukhorukov.

“The local doctor stated the need for an immediate operation in connection with the real threat of sepsis. … At the moment, according to the captain of the vessel, the condition of the sailor has deteriorated sharply, he is very weak and practically does not get up. There is a real threat to his life.”

According to him, the SUR sent an appeal on the situation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, as well as the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Shanghai asking for assistance in overcoming the obstacles for the speedy provision of necessary medical assistance to the sailor.