FCTA distributes medical equipment to 14 hospitals

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has distributed 48 vein finders and related accessories to 14 secondary healthcare facilities under the Hospitals Management Board (HMB) to improve healthcare delivery across the territory. The distribution, facilitated through the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), forms part of efforts by the FCT Administration to strengthen emergency response and enhance the quality of medical services in public hospitals. The Mandate Secretary of HSES, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said the devices would support healthcare workers in carrying out intravenous (IV) cannulation, blood sample collection and other venous access procedures with greater accuracy and efficiency. According to her, the equipment is particularly useful for patients with difficult-to-locate veins, including children, elderly persons and obese patients, as it reduces multiple needle attempts and improves patient comfort. The initiative complements the recent deployment of 12 ambulances by the FCT Administration as part of ongoing efforts by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to strengthen healthcare services in the territory. To ensure effective use of the equipment, healthcare personnel from the beneficiary hospitals underwent practical training on the operation, application, maintenance and safe handling of the devices. The distribution exercise was coordinated by the Director-General of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Ahmadu Abubakar, alongside the Director of Clinical and Diagnostic Services, Dr. Osayande Osagie. Medical directors of the beneficiary general hospitals nominated representatives who received the equipment on behalf of their facilities. Officials said the hospitals are expected to immediately deploy the vein finders in clinical settings to improve patient outcomes and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery. The FCTA said the intervention underscores its commitment to equipping public health facilities with modern technologies that support quality healthcare services and improve patient experience. Abuja metro reports that FCT hospitals are among the first public health facilities in Nigeria to deploy the vein finder technology.