Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revealed that primary and secondary health facilities across the territory will wear a new look, with plans concluded to rehabilitate and renovate the 14 General Hospitals as well as Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) to stand the test of medical tourism.
The disclosure was made by Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, during the unveiling ceremony of Barrister Nyesom Wike (BNW) VIP Ward in Maitama District Hospital, Abuja.
The gesture is part of a bid to reduce medical tourism among the nation’s elite and make health facilities comfortable for quality health care services in the territory, according to a statement by Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Secretariat, Mr Samuel Musa, and made available to peopleandpolitics.net.
He quoted Dr Fasawe as saying that the 2025 FCT budget made provisions to revamp the health sector, stressing that this “is a testimony that the FCT Minister’s transformative projects are not peculiar to infrastructures alone but cut across other sectors in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope mantra.”
Dr. Fasawe stated that “healthcare is a fundamental pillar of national development and as a government, FCT Administration remains resolute in ensuring that all citizens irrespective of their societal status have access to high-quality medical services as enshrined in Universal Health Coverage.”
According to the Mandate Secretary, the BNW VIP Ward was conceptualized to suit the needs of comfort and personalized care which play a crucial role in a patient’s recovery “and to equally cushion incessant medical tourism sought by private and distinguished citizens desirous of healthcare services with optimum comfort and because every patient is king, the BNW Ward will suit that purpose.”
The facility is designed to offer world-class healthcare services comparable to those sought abroad, with the aim of keeping high-profile Nigerians and citizens alike within the country for medical treatment.
Dr. Fasawe said that HSES “has developed a plan to replicate the BNW Ward model in other 13 FCT Hospitals due to its resounding success, which is a step in the right direction that aligns with FCT Administration’s broader vision to strengthen healthcare delivery across the Territory; further expanding the initiative for more patients to access premium medical services without the need to seek alternative in private facilities.”
In is goodwill massage, the Representative of World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, appreciated FCTA’s efforts for the visible and glaring transformations in the territory, including the health sector, urging that the BNW Ward should be open and made accessible to all Nigerians through health insurance.
In his speech, Acting Director General, FCT Hospitals Management Board (HMB), Dr. Olugbenga Bello reiterated FCTA’s commitment to the initiative that enhances healthcare infrastructure and patients’ care.
The unveiling of BNW Ward, he said, showed progress in the quest to elevate the standards of healthcare in FCT and the nation at large.
The host Medical Director of Maitama District Hospital, Dr. Rita Idemudia, on her part, said the BNW Ward has five individual cubicles, each equipped with the finest amenities to ensure and guarantee patients’ care,thus giving a homely ambience.
She appreciated HSES for making the vision a reality within a year.
The unveiling ceremony was graced by dignitaries from both the health sector and corporate organizations, including Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to FCT Minister on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Zonal Heads of Zenith and Access Banks; Chairman, FCT chapter of Nigeria Medical Association; President, Association of Resident Doctors (FCT chapter) and others.
