The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, has announced plans for the construction of new hospitals across the FCT to improve access to quality healthcare services.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during a capacity development training for health managers, Dr Fasawe disclosed that more than six to seven world-standard hospitals have already been established, with more underway.
“You will soon begin to see new hospitals springing up in the FCT. However, we cannot continue to build hospitals without addressing the shortage of human resources.
“Our doctors are migrating abroad, but we are currently addressing that challenge,” she said.
Unprecedented Investment in Health Workforce
Dr Fasawe commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for prioritising healthcare in the 2025 budget, describing the sectoral allocation as unprecedented.
“We’re not just building hospitals. We’re investing in the system.”
Under this administration, we’ve increased our health workforce by over 1,000 personnel.
Salaries for some categories of health workers have been doubled, and for the first time, FCT doctors are receiving uniform allowances,” she stated.
She noted that a significant portion of the health budget had been dedicated to improving human resources, as part of a comprehensive and realistic Annual Operational Plan (AOP) designed to reposition the FCT health sector.
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Supporting Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Dr Fasawe expressed pride in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a transformative blueprint already impacting the healthcare system.
She pointed to ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across the city and area councils, which have significantly improved access to healthcare facilities, especially in previously underserved areas.
Commending Health Workers Amidst Challenges
She praised the resilience and professionalism of doctors and health workers in FCT secondary facilities, noting that despite limited resources, only one warning strike had occurred since the Wike-led administration came into office—an issue resolved within three days.
“I want to commend our doctors for their commitment, even in difficult conditions.
“They have shown discipline and solidarity with the FCT Administration,” she said.
Primary Healthcare and Area Councils
Addressing the recent three-month strike by workers in area councils, Dr Fasawe clarified that primary healthcare centres fall under their jurisdiction.
However, she lauded the labour unions for maintaining essential services, particularly during immunisation campaigns.
“Despite the strike, the FCT recorded a 101 percent achievement in the last immunisation exercise. That’s unprecedented,” she added.
Reversing Brain Drain in the Health Sector
Dr Fasawe expressed optimism that efforts to improve welfare and working conditions would reverse the brain drain currently affecting the Nigerian health sector.
“We’re beginning to see doctors who left the country showing interest in returning.
“If we look after our healthcare professionals, they will stay—and some will come back,” she said.