The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has criticised the rising practice of using ambulances to convey corpses within Abuja.
Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, made this known on Friday while briefing journalists after the fifth FCT Executive Committee meeting chaired by Minister Nyesom Wike.
She announced the approval of a contract for the purchase of 12 new ambulances and said the administration would also begin procuring hearses dedicated to carrying corpses to prevent the misuse of medical emergency vehicles.
“In the FCT, we have zero tolerance for an ambulance to carry a corpse. It is not ethical because a living person will lie on that stretcher without decontamination.
“So, we are also looking into buying hearses in the next budget, specifically to carry dead bodies,” she said.
Fasawe explained that the new ambulances, 12 units of Toyota Hiace Hiroof (2023–2024 models), were “specially fitted to international standards” and would soon be commissioned for use across the FCT.
“For the first time in about nine years, FCT will get 12 brand-new special ambulances. These are state-of-the-art vehicles, each equipped with a bluetooth system, airbags, keyless entry and advanced medical fittings.
“They have been delivered and will be commissioned soon,” she said.
According to her, the new vehicles will help improve emergency response time in the capital, especially with recent road rehabilitations that have eased access to some communities.
“A journey that used to take 20 minutes now takes five. With these ambulances, it may take just three minutes to reach a patient in need.
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“This is another example of how the FCT system is working under the current administration,” she added.
Fasawe also reminded residents that they can reach emergency medical services through the national emergency number, 112, which is active in Abuja.
“We are in direct communication with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. The 112 number works right now.
“Once we complete our ambulance command base, calls to 112 will be patched directly to the nearest available ambulance, whether from FEMA, NEMSAS, or the FCT Health Services,” she explained.