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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has raised alarm over the deteriorating condition of healthcare facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), warning that an impending health crisis looms unless swift and decisive action is taken.
The concern was brought to the fore through a motion sponsored by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, who represents Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta State. He stressed the growing strain on government hospitals and medical centres within the FCT, citing severe shortages in bed spaces, medical personnel, and infrastructure.
Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Hon. Ezechi decried the widening gap between the FCT’s surging population and its stagnant healthcare infrastructure.
“Many of the government hospitals in the FCT were constructed decades ago and have seen little or no expansion since then, despite the exponential rise in population. As a result, patients in urgent need of care are either turned away or subjected to long waiting periods, often with fatal consequences,” he said.
He also drew attention to the critical shortage of doctors, nurses, and other essential healthcare workers, noting that the few available personnel are overstretched and struggling to meet the growing demand for services.
“If we fail to act now, the healthcare situation in the nation’s capital could spiral into a full-blown crisis. The lives and well-being of FCT residents are at stake, and urgent government intervention is non-negotiable,” he warned.
Adding his voice to the debate, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) described the situation as “a ticking time bomb,” saying, “We cannot continue to play politics with people’s lives. What we are witnessing is a silent emergency. It’s only a matter of time before it explodes.”
Hon. Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo), Chairperson of the House Committee on Disabilities, noted the impact on vulnerable groups: “People living with disabilities, the elderly, and children are the worst hit by these healthcare failings. We must prioritize inclusive health infrastructure and services.”
Following the presentation, the House unanimously adopted the motion and resolved to urge the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the FCT Administration, to conduct an immediate assessment of all healthcare facilities in the territory. The goal, lawmakers said, is to identify critical areas in need of expansion, upgrades, and targeted resource allocation.
The House also mandated the formation of an ad-hoc committee to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the state of healthcare infrastructure in the FCT and to report its findings and recommendations within four weeks.
In a decisive move, the lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the FCT healthcare system. They argued that such a declaration would pave the way for the prompt release of emergency funds to upgrade existing facilities, recruit additional medical personnel, and procure vital equipment.
Hon. Tanko Sununu, a medical doctor and lawmaker from Kebbi State, emphasized the technical urgency: “Some of these hospitals are running without oxygen plants, without functioning ambulances. We are not just behind global standards, we are failing our own people.”
Additionally, the motion urged the FCT Administration to explore collaborative partnerships with the private sector and international health agencies to temporarily bridge capacity gaps while long-term solutions are being developed.
“The private sector and development partners have a role to play. We cannot do this alone,” noted Hon. Abdullahi Abdulkadir (APC, Bauchi). “We must tap into their capacity and expertise while we fix the systemic issues.”
The House concluded by calling on the Federal Government to design and implement a comprehensive, long-term healthcare infrastructure development plan tailored to the FCT’s rapidly expanding population, with the aim of ensuring sustainable and quality healthcare delivery for all residents.