The Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have initiated efforts to enhance the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) ability to effectively handle health emergencies.

The meeting held in Abuja, titled “Scooping Mission on Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) in the Federal Capital Territory,” aimed to identify challenges and improve the FCTA’s response to public health emergencies.

Mr Malan Haruna, the acting secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) in FCTA, highlighted the need for better coordination and adequate resources. The FCTA currently faces inadequacies in healthcare facilities, distribution of healthcare workers, and the absence of a functional infectious diseases hospital. The scoping mission, lasting until July 22, will engage stakeholders to assess and strengthen the FCT’s capacity to respond to health emergencies.