Fasawe reiterates resolve to improve healthcare infrastructure for Abuja residents

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe  has reiterated the determination and commitment of the FCT Administration to continually improve on the healthcare infrastructure in the territory for the overall benefits of her residents.

Fasawe asserted this position during an assessment tour by the delegation from the African Union (AU) Commission to Maitama and Asokoro District Hospitals.

The Mandate Secretary, who was represented by the FCT-HSES Permanent Secretary, Dr. Baba Gana Adam, noted that the FCT Minister,  Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, had recently announced the plan by the FCT Administration to upgrade some FCTA Hospitals with infrastructure.

She further added that the FCT Administration has placed health as key and a top priority to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu’s Administration, and as such, three FCT hospitals (Gwagwalada, Utako and Gwarinpa General hospitals) FCT will get face lift to global standard.

Speaking earlier, the Acting Head Medical Laboratory, AU Commission, who is also the leader of the delegation, Kalifa Manneh said the purpose of the visit is to conduct assessment of medical and health services of FCT hospitals, namely; Maitama and Asokoro District hospitals.

Manneh added that the Commission received bids from four countries, namely Nigeria,   Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, and Uganda, on plans  by the AU Commission to commence a new department called Africa Humanitarian Department. .

He further added that the AU Commission sent 18th members delegation to assess FCT readiness to host the African Humanitarian Department, and so far, the two facilities visited have been above optimal.

According to him, moving forward, there is a need for the administration to build on the current health care infrastructure as the facilities could be improved.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Medical Director, Maitama District hospital, Dr. Rita Idemudia who welcomed the delegation from the AU, told them that the hospital aims to be the centrepiece of the health care delivery system in the FCT.

She noted that the hospital mission is to provide affordable and accessable comprehensive care services, using modern and appropriate technology and  developed human resources with full community participation.

Idemudia disclosed that the hospital has 426 staff strength, out of which 327 are permanent, while 29 are locum staff, in addition to the functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dialysis Unit.