The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has criticised the increasing practice of using ambulances to transport corpses within Abuja, labelling it as “unethical and unacceptable”.
Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the FCTA, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Friday after the fifth meeting of the FCT Executive Committee, presided over by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Fasawe, who announced the approval of a contract for the acquisition of 12 new, fully equipped ambulances, said the administration would soon begin procuring hearses specifically for conveying dead bodies to prevent the misuse of ambulances meant for medical emergencies.
“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.”
The health secretary explained that the newly purchased ambulances, consisting of 12 Toyota Hiace Hiroof (2023–2024 models), are “specially fitted to international standards” and will soon be deployed across the territory.
“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.
Dr Fasawe stated that the ambulances would significantly enhance emergency response times in the capital, particularly following recent road upgrades that have improved access to suburban areas.
“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.
“This is another example of how the FCT system is working under the current administration,” she added.
She further revealed that residents requiring emergency medical assistance could contact 112, the national emergency number, which is operational 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.
