The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration has approved the purchase of 12 brand-new emergency ambulances to boost medical response services across Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary for Health, Human and Environmental Services, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, made this known during a press briefing on Friday after the FCT Executive Council meeting held at the Minister’s Conference Room.
According to Fasawe, the contract—recently ratified by the council—marks the first time in nine years that the FCT will be receiving new emergency ambulances. The vehicles, she said, are Toyota Hiace Hiroof 2023/2024 models, equipped with modern medical and communication features that meet international standards.
She revealed that all 12 ambulances, valued at ₦1.74 billion, have already been delivered and will soon be commissioned.
“These are state-of-the-art ambulances with full emergency equipment, air conditioning, airbags, keyless entry, Bluetooth systems, and central locking. The purchase was completed within four weeks, and the vehicles are now ready for use,” Fasawe said.
The Secretary added that the new ambulances will form part of a broader emergency response network being built by the FCT administration. This includes a digital platform that allows residents and medical personnel to check hospital bed availability and locate the nearest equipped facility in real time.
She also confirmed that the administration had partnered with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that the 112 emergency number is fully functional and directly linked to agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).
“When you dial 112, it connects you to the nearest ambulance station. We’re creating a system where residents can get help fast, whether through FEMA, NEMSAS, or the FCT Health Insurance Scheme,” she explained.
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Fasawe further stressed that the FCT has a zero-tolerance policy against using ambulances to transport corpses, describing the practice as unhygienic and unsafe.
“It’s unethical to carry a corpse in an ambulance meant for living patients. We plan to include dedicated hearses in the next budget to handle such cases properly,” she said.
She praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for prioritizing health infrastructure and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving emergency medical response across the territory.
