FCTA Moves to Ban Use of Ambulances for Corpses

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to prohibit the use of ambulances for transporting corpses within Abuja, describing the practice as unethical and unacceptable. The Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this on Friday after the fifth meeting of the FCT Executive Committee, chaired by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Fasawe explained that the misuse of ambulances meant for emergency medical response poses health and ethical concerns, as the same stretchers used for patients are sometimes used to carry corpses without proper decontamination. To address this, the FCTA has approved the procurement of 12 brand-new, fully equipped ambulances and plans to acquire purpose-built hearses dedicated to conveying dead bodies.

“In the FCT, we have zero tolerance for an ambulance to carry a corpse. It is not ethical because a living person will lie on that stretcher without decontamination. We are therefore making provisions in the next budget to buy hearses specifically to transport the dead,” Fasawe said.

She revealed that the newly acquired ambulances—12 units of the Toyota Hiace Hiroof 2023/2024 models—are equipped to international standards with advanced medical fittings, Bluetooth systems, airbags, and keyless entry. According to her, this marks the first time in nearly a decade that the FCT will receive such an upgrade in emergency response vehicles, which will soon be commissioned and deployed across the territory.

Fasawe noted that the improved road network in the FCT has enhanced response times, allowing ambulances to reach emergency scenes within minutes. “A journey that used to take 20 minutes now takes five. With these ambulances, it may take just three minutes to reach a patient in need. This is another example of how the FCT system is working under the current administration,” she added.

She also reminded residents that the national emergency number, 112, is functional and can be used to request immediate medical assistance within Abuja. “We are in direct communication with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. The 112 number works right now, and once our ambulance command base is completed, calls will be routed directly to the nearest available ambulance, whether from FEMA, NEMSAS, or the FCT Health Services,” Fasawe said.