Abuja Airport Closure: FG to step up emergency medical services

Following the planed closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from March 8, the Federal Government has concluded plans to provide a consolidated, coordinated and multi-agency emergency medical services of modern standards on the Abuja-Kaduna road corridor.

To this end, six health centres have been identified for upgrade and full staffing to enable the facilities provide 24-hour services at every 30-kilometre of the road.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the ministry has requested for funds to enable it provide the centres with medication, commodities, small generators and needed infrastructure upgrade, adding that the Minister of Finance has promised to make the funds available.

Ehanire, however, did not disclose what it would cost government to provide the intended services, but added that the ministry started working on the programme about a year ago, before the announcement of the temporary closure of the airport.

He stated that the planned closure of the airport only provided an impetus to facilitate the project aimed at putting in place an emergency response in Nigeria that is of international standards