U.S. National Guard doctors to aid Czech Republic amid surge in COVID-19 cases

Prague, Oct 21 (CTK) - A team of 28 doctors from the U.S. National Guard in the states of Nebraska and Texas will come to the Czech Republic next week in order to help combat the coronavirus epidemic here, Health Minister Roman Prymula (for ANO) told journalists today.

They will be equipped with their own protective devices, Prymula said.

Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar (for ANO) tweeted that the aid was offered by the U.S. military.

"We are discussing the arrival of 28 military doctors and paramedics who have experience in the fight against COVID-19 from the USA. Now we are finishing the specific details," Metnar said.

Prymula said it was Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček (Social Democrats, CSSD) who negotiated on their arrival with U.S. Ambassador Stephen King.

After the request was sent to the USA, the offer of doctors from the National Guard came.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš mentioned the arrival of the U.S. doctors in connection with the government efforts to secure healthcare in terms of both equipment and personnel.

"We have ordered 2,000 beds and we are adopting measures with which to prevent the collapse. We are also trying to secure some aid from abroad. About 28 U.S. doctors will come here," Babiš said.

Babiš dismissed the idea that in the spring, the Czech Republic had failed to help control the epidemic to more afflicted countries. He mentioned the patients from France who eventually did not come.

"I think that within Europe, we have shown solidarity," Babiš said.

He cited the example of the Czech Republic not having prevented health personnel commuting abroad, specifically to Austria and Germany.

Hamáček and King discussed the help last week, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Klara Dlubalová said.

The Czech Republic is negotiating with the EU and NATO for further help.

"When it comes to the link to the EU, it seems to be able to help with ventilators, or in the sphere of equipment," Dlubalova said.