The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved the immediate renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all general hospitals (14) in the territory, with new medical equipment, diagnostic facilities and theatre upgrades.

Work is also set to resume on the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital.

The FCT executive council reached the resolutions on Tuesday during a meeting presided over by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and attended by the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.

The Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Chidi Amadi, who addressed journalists after the meeting, said the council considered 20 memoranda from various secretariats, departments and agencies.

Mr Amadi noted that submissions were critical to the continued infrastructure development and improvement of public services in the nation’s capital.

The Mandate Secretary, Health Secretariat and Environmental Services, Adedolapo Fasawe, also noted the council approved the immediate commencement of the renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all general hospitals in the FCT.

Ms Fasawe also disclosed that Mr Wike had directed the commencement of work on the Utako General Hospital, which remained abandoned for years.

According to her, the measures were expected to strengthen the availability of quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services for residents of the FCT.

She added that the administration had continued to meet its financial obligations to health insurance providers and Health Maintenance Organisations through the payment of premiums and capitation.

The council also approved the digitalisation of the FCT High Court, covering about 67 courtrooms across its various judicial divisions.

The General Counsel, Salman Dako, said the project would introduce electronic court recording and case-management systems, replacing manual recording and physical filing of cases with digital processes.

He said the initiative would address challenges associated with manual documentation and handwritten records, adding that implementation was expected to commence immediately, with noticeable improvements targeted within two weeks.

The decisions of the 19th FCT Executive Council meeting cut across health, education, justice, land administration, power, environmental management and water supply, as the administration intensified efforts to improve infrastructure and public services across Abuja.