Disaster In The Capital: Lawmakers Urge Emergency Over Collapsing FCT Healthcare

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) ailing healthcare system.

In addition to this urgent call, lawmakers advocated for the creation of a comprehensive and long-term strategy for the development of healthcare infrastructure in Abuja—one that aligns with the territory’s rapidly growing population and ensures the delivery of sustainable, high-quality medical services.

The House also stressed the need for the Federal Government to release emergency funding to upgrade public hospitals, hire more healthcare professionals, and procure essential medical equipment.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion presented by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi during the House’s plenary session on Wednesday.

In his presentation, Ezechi expressed deep concern over the intense pressure facing the FCT’s healthcare system. He noted that most government hospitals and medical facilities are overstretched, leading to a severe shortage of bed spaces and medical staff.

He pointed out that while the FCT’s population has ballooned over the past two decades, most government hospitals remain outdated, with little to no expansion, making them inadequate to meet increasing demand.

As a result, many patients in urgent need of care are left unattended or endure long delays, contributing to avoidable deaths. The shortage of doctors, nurses, and other essential health workers, he added, has further deteriorated service delivery, overwhelmed available personnel, and compromised the quality of care.

Ezechi warned that without swift intervention, the crisis could spiral out of control, threatening the constitutional right to healthcare and placing the lives of Abuja residents at serious risk. However, he expressed optimism that a deliberate reassessment of health infrastructure and aggressive recruitment of professionals could address the immediate gaps and improve health outcomes.

Following deliberations, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the FCT Administration to urgently assess the state of health facilities in the capital, identifying critical areas for expansion, renovation, and resource allocation.

To ensure proper oversight, the House also resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the current state of healthcare infrastructure in the FCT, and submit its findings and recommendations within four weeks.

Lawmakers further encouraged the FCT Administration to collaborate with private sector stakeholders and international health agencies to scale up healthcare capacity in the short term, while pursuing long-term solutions to overhaul the system.