By Stanley Onyekwere
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike moved to silence critics of his “road-first” policy yesterday, by commissioning 12 brand-new ambulances while declaring that high-quality asphalt is the literal foundation of a functional emergency health system.
Speaking at the oficial handover of the ambulances to health Secretariat for onward distribution to various FCT Hospitals and health centres, in Abuja ,Wike argued that his heavy investment in infrastructure is a prerequisite for healthcare success.
He said: “Ambulances become useless when there are no good roads. During emergencies, if roads are not stable, the whole sense of emergency vehicles is defeated. So, first things first.”
The Minister confirmed that the FCT is currently in the procurement stage for the rehabilitation and furnishing of 14 health centres across the territory.
To combat “brain drain” and manpower shortages, Wike pledged a fresh recruitment drive for healthcare personnel to ensure these facilities are fully operational.
Ealier in a welcome remark, Mandate Secretary for Health and Environmental Services, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, revealed that the administration is putting its money where its mouth is regarding staff welfare.
She confirmed that the FCT has cleared outstanding allowances dating back to 2021, including: 13-month hazard allowances and wage awards.
Fasawe noted that the FCT is currently the only sub-national entity in Nigeria to have paid these entitlements in full.
She also highlighted the recent elevation of the School of Nursing to a full-fledged College of Nursing, a move designed to bolster the local pipeline of medical professionals.
In a goodwill message,a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Kumshida Balami Yakubu, commended the FCTA’s efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and pledged the continued support of his organisation to help the FCT achieve its health goals.
Similarly, Chairman,National Association of Nurses and Midwives, FCT, Jama Medan, who described the intervention as a welcome development, as it will facilitate improved healthcare services across medical facilities in the FCT.
He assured stakeholders of the readiness of FCT nurses to ensure effective and efficient utilisation of the ambulances.
Not left out, Dr.Ekwebelam Cyril Emeka, who represented the President of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), in the FCT, Dr. George Ebong, also commended the FCTA for bringing hope for a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery.
He however, appealed for sustainability ,which includes ensuring adequate staffing and infrastructure, in addition to the ambulances
The commissioning of these 12 units marks a significant shift toward a people-centered governance model, bridging the gap between urban infrastructure and life-saving emergency response.
