The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated eight utility vehicles to boost emergency healthcare service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Country Representative of WHO in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, made this known during the official handover ceremony in Abuja.
He said the occasion marked an “important milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen health emergency preparedness and response in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
The WHO’s Country Representative said the gesture was meant “in support of the Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) Flagship Initiative.”
He further said, “This handover is part of the Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) flagship initiative, which aims to bolster health emergency preparedness and response within the FCT.
“The FCT is one of six states selected to pioneer the SURGE implementation in Nigeria.
“These vehicles will enhance the FCT’s mobility and rapid deployment capacity for emergency teams, ensuring that critical personnel, supplies, and response efforts reach affected communities swiftly and efficiently.”
Dr. Mulombo further highlighted the significance of the SURGE Initiative, stating that: “This event reflects WHO’s continued commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen national and sub-national capacity for health emergency preparedness and response.
“We know too well that Africa continues to experience more than 100 health emergencies annually, ranging from disease outbreaks and natural disasters to conflict-driven crises.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola, cholera, Lassa fever, and recent anthrax and diphtheria outbreaks have tested our systems and exposed gaps that need urgent attention—especially in the areas of coordination, mobility, workforce readiness, and logistics.
“This is why the SURGE flagship project was designed by WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) to ensure that countries are able to mobilize within 24 hours of a confirmed emergency.
“The initiative aims to develop a multidisciplinary, trained, and rapidly deployable national workforce, backed by a strong operations and logistics system, all led by the government.”
Present at the occasion include Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration,
representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), WHO staff and other partners.
