The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has kicked off a four-day intensive training for health workers from seven key hospitals in Abuja, focusing on Basic Life Support (BLS). The move is a direct push to improve the territory's readiness for medical emergencies and, hopefully, cut down on deaths that could have been prevented with timely intervention.
The training, which commenced at the Asokoro District Hospital’s Conference Hall, is part of a larger National Basic Life Support Training Programme that the National Council on Health has approved for nationwide rollout. Participants are drawn from Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse, Gwarinpa, Kuje, Kubwa, and Nyanya hospitals. They're not just learning; they're earning a certification recognised by the American Heart Association.
Dr Dolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, officially opened the exercise. She stressed that the core idea is to arm these health professionals with the immediate skills needed when a medical crisis hits. This means knowing exactly what to do before more advanced medical help can arrive. It's about bridging that crucial gap where seconds count.
Fasawe highlighted that this training is a cornerstone of the FCTA's commitment to making emergency services in public hospitals better. The goal, she explained, is to minimise unnecessary loss of life. But it doesn't stop with the trainees. The knowledge they gain will be passed on to their colleagues and even to the public through the National Community CPR Initiative. Essentially, the FCTA wants its health workers to be up-to-date with the best practices in emergency care worldwide.
Plans are also in the works to establish 'Code Blue Teams' in FCT hospitals. You know, those rapid response teams that swing into action when someone's condition suddenly becomes critical. Dr Fasawe put it plainly: "Our goal is to consistently record success stories from ‘no pulse to resuscitation’." She believes that when citizens know they can count on government hospitals for swift and proper emergency care, it builds confidence and trust.
This particular training is being conducted in batches. The first group is undergoing the course from August 21st to 22nd, 2026, with a second batch scheduled for September 4th and 5th. Dr Rosemary Nwokorie, a consultant anaesthetist and the training coordinator, mentioned that the programme also includes a vital 'Stop the Bleeding' component. This part is designed to teach health workers how to manage severe bleeding in trauma patients, a critical skill that can make the difference between life and death before surgical intervention.
Leading the team of instructors is Dr Onyedika Godfrey Okoye, a trauma surgeon attached to the Trauma Centre at the National Hospital, Abuja. His team’s expertise will be crucial in imparting these life-saving techniques. The FCTA reiterated that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to fortify emergency care services across the territory, ensuring all health workers are well-prepared for immediate medical attention needs.
Dr Oluseyi Ashaolu, the Medical Director of Asokoro District Hospital, called the training both timely and necessary. He pointed out that it helps healthcare providers keep pace with global advancements in emergency medicine. The skills learned, he added, are directly applicable to preventing avoidable fatalities, especially in critical moments where immediate action is paramount for patient survival.
At the end of their rigorous training, participants will face an assessment. Those who meet the required standards will receive their certificates, marking them as certified Basic Life Support providers. The FCTA has also pledged that future training sessions will extend to other FCT hospitals, and essential equipment will be provided to bolster emergency response capabilities.