Wike approves completion of abandoned Utako General Hospital, upgrade of FCT health facilities

By Stanley Onyekwere

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved contracts for the construction and equipping of the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital, as well as the comprehensive renovation and modern re-equipping of all 14 existing General Hospitals across the territory.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday by Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary for the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), while briefing newsmen at the conclusion of the Executive Council meeting.

“Today at the Executive Council, there were a lot of deliberations, and there was a particular deliberation on the health system.

“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,” Dr. Fasawe stated.

According to the Mandate Secretary, 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.

Addressing the stalled Utako project, Dr. Fasawe confirmed that Minister 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.

Highlighting ongoing healthcare financing efforts, Dr. Fasawe noted that the FCT Administration has maintained consistent payments to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) for premium and capitation obligations under the health insurance scheme.

“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.