By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Executive Council has approved contracts for the construction and equipping of the abandoned Utako General Hospital, renovation and revamping of all 14 existing General Hospitals across the territory.
Mandate secretary FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after the end of the Executive Council meeting.
She said, the upgrades will encompass a total overhaul of facility infrastructure and the procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment, ranging from advanced diagnostic materials and X-ray machines to modern surgical tools for operating theatres.
On the abandoned Utako project, Fasawe confirmed that the Minister of FCT, Wike directed the immediate resumption of work to complete construction, fully equip the facility, and deploy appropriate medical staffing to bring the abandoned hospital into operational status.
In addition, she explained that efforts are ongoing in the healthcare financing efforts, saying the FCT Administration has maintained consistent payments to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) for premium and capitation obligations under the health insurance scheme.
“I am happy to say that the Minister has ordered the immediate award of renovation, rehabilitation, and upgrading of all the general hospitals in the FCT.
“What then happens now is that when the hospitals are upgraded, the equipment are there, and the personnel are there, then quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare will be available for the people of the FCT,” Dr. Fasawe added.
“The planned revamping of primary and secondary healthcare centers across the six Area Councils is expected to significantly ease pressure on tertiary health institutions within the nation’s capital” Fasewa said.
