Wike hands over 12 ambulances to FCT hospitals

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has handed over 12 bee ambulances to FCT hospitals.

Wike explained during the handing over of the ambulances in Abuja on Thursday, that the move was to support emergency services in the FCT health system.

He said that the effort was proof that the FCT Administration was not only concentrating on road infrastructure and education but other critical sectors.

“So many people were saying, why are we concentrating on road infrastructure? So many people were saying, why are we focusing on education?

“But people forget that these ambulances may break down when there are no good roads. When patients call during and the roads are not in good condition, then the whole sense of the emergency vehicles becomes useless.

“So first things first, and that’s what we have been able to do as we speak here,” he said.

The minister added that the Administration was already in the procuring process for the rehabilitating and furnishing 14 of health centres.

He also said that the FCT Head of Civil Service and the chairman had been directed to employ additional personnel for the health sector.

“For us, we will do everything possible to give our people the best,” Wike said.

Earlier, Dr Olalodipo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, said the procurement and distribution of the ambulances marks a significant milestone in strengthening emergency healthcare delivery in FCT.

According to her, the initiative goes beyond the provision of just ambulances; it reflects our commitment to people-centered governance, emergency preparedness, and improved health outcomes for all residents of FCT.

“Under the focused leadership of the FCT Minister, we have been able to see strategic investment in road infrastructure across the city.

“This has directly impacted healthcare. For example, in areas like Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, the A2 to Pai road construction has made a journey that used to take one and a half hours to about 30 minutes.”

Fasawe argued that the FCT Administration has demonstrated a clear understanding of health systems, which she described as not only infrastructure and buildings but consists of immunisation, insurance, and most importantly, human resource in health.

“It is heartwarming that this administration has paid allowances that have been due since 2021. I wish to particularly refer to the 13 months hazard allowance for healthcare workers and wage award and the medical residency training fund.

“I can confidently say that FCT is the only state that has paid all these allowances up to date.

“There have been many other interventions including the upgrade of the FCT School of Nursing to a full-fledged College of Nursing.

“All these interventions show a deliberate and coordinated effort to deliver accessible, high quality and responsible healthcare for the people of the FCT,” she said.