By Sarah NEGEDU
As part of efforts to strengthen the health system in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration said it has increased funding for the renovation of healthcare centres across the territory.
The Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who disclosed this during the matriculation ceremony of students of the FCT School of Nursing, Gwagwalada, said the intervention is aimed at improving service delivery across public hospitals.
Fasawe disclosed that most call rooms in hospitals were currently being renovated, while the administration had also commenced the payment of uniform allowances for nurses.
Represented by the Director of Nursing Services, Health and Management Board, Mrs. Grace Musa, the Mandate Secretary said the Secretariat was working closely with stakeholders to ensure that four health-related bills before the National Assembly pass third reading to further boost healthcare infrastructure in the territory.
The Pioneer Provost of the FCT School of Nursing, Dr. Deborah Yusuf, called for more infrastructural development in the school to support learning and research, urging the new students to work hard to achieve academic excellence.
Similarly, the lawmaker representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, Mr. Joshua Obika, pledged to support stakeholders in advancing education and healthcare in the FCT.
He gave an assurance that the FCT Nursing Bill would pass second reading before next year.
On his part, the Registrar of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Dr. Alhasan Ndagi, warned that the council had introduced measures to detect examination malpractice, adding that any student found culpable would be sanctioned.
Ndagi, represented by the Head of Department, Planning, Research and Statistics, Aliyu Adam, expressed optimism that the new students had the potential to excel, urging them to develop critical thinking and interpersonal skills, embrace diversity, and uphold the ethics of the profession.
