In a move aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has distributed 48 vein-finding devices and accompanying accessories to 14 secondary healthcare facilities under the Hospitals Management Board (HMB).
The initiative, facilitated through the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), forms part of ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve patient care in public hospitals.
Speaking on the intervention, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said the advanced medical devices would improve the accuracy and efficiency of venous access procedures, particularly for patients with difficult vein conditions.
The vein finders assist healthcare professionals in locating veins for intravenous (IV) cannulation, blood sample collection, and other clinical procedures. The technology is expected to reduce multiple needle attempts, minimize patient discomfort, and improve outcomes for children, elderly patients, and individuals with challenging venous anatomy.
The distribution of the equipment complements recent investments by the FCT Administration in emergency healthcare services, including the deployment of 12 new ambulances across health facilities in the territory.
To ensure effective utilization of the devices, representatives from the beneficiary hospitals participated in a practical training session covering the operation, application, maintenance, and safe handling of the equipment. The training was designed to promote sustainability and maximize the benefits of the technology.
The Director General of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Ahmadu Abubakar, alongside the Director of Clinical and Diagnostic Services, Dr. Osayande Osagie, coordinated the distribution exercise in line with the directive of the Mandate Secretary.
Medical Directors of the various General Hospitals nominated representatives to receive the equipment on behalf of their facilities, while additional in-house training was conducted to build the capacity of healthcare personnel.
The FCTA said the initiative underscores its commitment to equipping healthcare institutions with modern technologies that enhance service delivery, improve patient experiences, and support healthcare workers in providing quality medical care.
The beneficiary hospitals are expected to immediately deploy the devices in clinical settings to improve patient outcomes, strengthen healthcare services, and promote safer and more efficient medical procedures across the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Abuja Digest, FCT hospitals are among the first public healthcare facilities in Nigeria to adopt the vein-finding technology on such a scale.