The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Executive Council has approved the immediate construction and equipping of Utako General Hospital, and comprehensive renovation and equipping of 14 other general hospitals across the territory.
Dr Adedolapo Fasewe, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, disclosed this after the council’s meeting, chaired by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike in Abuja on Tuesday.
Fasawe said that Wike directed the immediate award of contracts to rehabilitate, upgrade and fully equip all public secondary health facilities in the territory.
She explained that “a key highlight of the council’s approvals is the resumption of work on the Utako General Hospital, a facility that had been left abandoned for years. The hospital, which has long been abandoned, will now see immediate action.
“The minister has ordered immediate construction, equipping and staffing of the facility.
“I am happy to say that the minister also ordered the immediate award of contracts for the renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all the general hospitals in the FCT.
“The overhaul goes beyond structural fixes to encompass modern medical infrastructure. The intervention includes the procurement of new diagnostic equipment, state-of-the-art X-ray machines and essential surgical instruments for operating theaters.”
The mandate secretary said that the development would go a long way in bringing high-quality healthcare closer to FCT residents.
“The massive upgrade programme is expected to ease pressure on existing tertiary health centres in Abuja while expanding safety nets for low- and middle-income residents,” she said.
On health financing, Fasawe commended Wike’s commitment to sustaining social health insurance in the capital.
She noted that the administration consistently cleared payments to Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) for premiums and capitations.
She said, “with upgraded facilities, modern equipment, available personnel and sustained insurance funding, residents can now look forward to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare.”
