FCT Minister Commissions 18 Ambulances Worth N361M

PHOTO: PREMANENT SECRETARY, FCT, DR GOKE ADEGOROYE (R) AND HEALTH SECRETARY, FCT, DR PRECIOUS GBENEOL DURING THE COMMISSIONING OF AMBULANCES DONATED TO FCT HOSPITALS IN ABUJA TODAY.

ABUJA, June 15, (THEWILL) - As part of efforts　to prepare for any kind of emergency that may　occur in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration has procured 5 basic life support and 13 regular transport ambulances.

These ambulances worth N361 million were commissioned by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed in Abuja today.　　　

The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Goke Adegoroye　however warned that the vehicles must be used strictly for the purpose they were meant.

He decried a situation where such sensitive vehicles could be used contrary to the purposes they were deployed, like for wedding ceremonies.

Senator Mohammed directed that apart from evacuating affected persons from emergency scenes, the ambulances should be used to convey patients for referral cases in hospitals.

The Minister assured that the health sub-sector in the Federal Capital Territory will witness tremendous progress during his tenure; stating that better days are ahead.

He recalled that a fortnight ago, his administration approved a new consolidated salary scale for FCT health workers.

Senator Mohammed promised that this fiscal year, the FCT Administration would embark on capacity building for health workers and aggressive upgrading of hospital equipment to improve its basic health delivery to the common man.

The Minister reiterated that the commissioning of the ambulances mark the first stage of the FCT Emergency Management Services so that patients needing emergency attention anywhere in the Territory can easily and quickly access them.

Welcoming guests to the occasion, the FCT Secretary of Health & Human Services Secretariat, Dr. (Mrs.) Precious Gbeneol appreciated the support of the FCT Minister; recalling that approval had just been given　for four Surgeons to attend　a course on Advance Trauma and Cardiac Life Support.

She thanked the Administration for the sustenance of the free ANC programme; stating that it has gone a long way in assisting the less privileged in the society.

"The provision of more Health Care Centres in the rural areas and provision of Primary Health Care providers has grossly improved access to health care for those habiting in rural areas of FCT", she stressed.　

The ambulances　were immediately deployed to various District/General Hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory for prompt services.