Healthcare facilities in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, are under intense pressure as hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) struggle with severe shortages of bed space and medical personnel.
Public hospitals, including the National Hospital Abuja and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, are reportedly operating beyond capacity. Patients are increasingly being forced to wait in hallways, sit on floors, or even be turned away due to the lack of available beds.
Medical professionals are also overstretched. A growing shortage of doctors, nurses, and support staff has left many hospital workers handling workloads far beyond what is manageable, resulting in longer waiting times and reduced quality of care.
Residents have expressed frustration over the deteriorating conditions, especially in emergency units and maternity wards. “I had to wait hours before my son could be attended to, and even then, there was no bed available,” said Halima Yusuf, a patient’s relative at a general hospital in Abuja.
Acknowledging the crisis, the FCT Administration has revealed plans to recruit more health workers and upgrade infrastructure in the capital’s 14 general hospitals. Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services, emphasized the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
While these steps offer some relief, experts say the issues are deep-rooted. Years of underinvestment, rising population, and the ongoing migration of medical personnel abroad commonly known as the “japa syndrome” have severely weakened Abuja’s healthcare system.
Healthcare advocates are calling for urgent reforms, including better funding, improved working conditions for health workers, and strategic planning to expand hospital capacity.
As Abuja continues to grow, stakeholders say the government must act swiftly and decisively to prevent a full-blown health crisis and ensure quality healthcare for all residents.
