Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, took a significant step toward improving emergency healthcare delivery by officially handing over 12 fully equipped ambulances to public hospitals across Abuja.
Modern Fleet to Enhance Emergency Response The new additions to the FCT’s emergency service fleet are 2023/2024 Toyota Hiace Hiroof ambulances, custom-built to international standards. Each vehicle comes with advanced medical fittings, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry, ensuring rapid deployment and effective patient care during emergencies.
Strategic Investment for Public Health Valued at approximately ₦1.74 billion, this procurement marks the first major ambulance purchase by the FCT in nine years. Minister Wike highlighted that the investment is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the territory’s healthcare system.
Boosting Response Times and Service Quality Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Wike emphasized that the ambulances are expected to reduce emergency response times from an average of 20 minutes to as little as three minutes. This improvement will be further supported by ongoing rehabilitation of road networks throughout the territory.
Strict Usage Policy and Future Plans The FCT Administration (FCTA) reiterated its commitment to proper use of the ambulances, announcing a strict policy of “zero tolerance” for using them to transport corpses. Plans are underway to procure dedicated hearses in future budgets to meet that need.
Easy Access to Emergency Services Residents in need of emergency medical services can now dial the national toll-free line, 112, which is directly linked to the FCT’s ambulance command base for swift dispatch.
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure and Manpower In addition to the ambulance commission, Minister Wike directed the FCT Civil Service to recruit more medical personnel to address the ongoing manpower shortages in public hospitals. He also noted continuing efforts to rehabilitate and equip 14 hospitals across the territory, further underlining the administration’s resolve to enhance healthcare delivery in the FCT.
These initiatives collectively aim to provide Abuja residents with faster, more reliable access to emergency medical care, reflecting the FCT Administration’s commitment to public health and safety.
