Reps raises alarm over looming healthcare collapse in FCT

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, raised serious concerns over the imminent collapse of the healthcare system in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),

The House equally urged the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the FCT Administration, to urgently assess all health facilities in the FCT to identify areas requiring expansion and upgrade.

The House also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the FCT healthcare system and release emergency funds for hospital upgrades, recruitment of medical personnel, and procurement of equipment.

The House resolutions followed a motion moved by Hon. Ezechi on the urgent need for intervention and upgrade of health facilities.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Ezechi noted that hospitals and medical centers in the FCT are overstretched, with critical shortages of bed spaces, medical personnel, and equipment.

He warned that patients are routinely left unattended or subjected to long waiting hours, resulting in preventable deaths.

The House acknowledged that while the FCT population has surged over the past two decades, government hospitals have seen little to no expansion, creating a widening gap in healthcare delivery.

The motion expressed concern over the inadequate number of doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, which has further crippled service delivery and placed enormous pressure on the limited available staff.

Hon. Ezechi emphasized that without immediate intervention, the crisis may escalate beyond control, posing a serious threat to public health in the nation’s capital.