The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the completion and equipping of the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital and the renovation and upgrading of the territory’s 14 existing general hospitals.
The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this on Tuesday during the 19th FCT Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
Dr Fasawe said the council deliberated extensively on the health sector, leading to the approval for the immediate renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of the general hospitals.
She said the planned intervention would cover the overhaul of hospital infrastructure and the provision of modern medical equipment, including diagnostic equipment, X-ray machines and surgical instruments.
On the Utako General Hospital, Dr Fasawe said the FCT Administration had directed the immediate resumption of work to complete the project, equip the facility and provide the necessary medical personnel.
She explained that the measures were aimed at improving the availability and accessibility of healthcare services to residents of the FCT.
Dr Fasawe also said the FCT Administration had continued to meet its financial obligations to Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) under the territory’s health insurance scheme.
She said the payment of premiums and capitation would support the provision of healthcare services under the scheme.
According to her, the upgrading of the hospitals, provision of equipment and deployment of medical personnel would improve access to healthcare services in the territory.
The Mandate Secretary also said plans were underway to revamp primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the six Area Councils.
She said the intervention was expected to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots and reduce pressure on tertiary healthcare facilities in the FCT.
