Federal Government has chosen the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Base, 44 Army and St. Geralds Catholic hospitals in Kaduna for referrals.

The government rated the chosen healthcare facilities as high ahead of the deadline given for the temporary closure of the Abuja International Airport.

Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire, gave the commendation in Kaduna during an assessment tour of the hospitals, explaining that he embarked on the inspection tour of the facilities to ascertain their state of readiness to handle accident emergencies in the event of any unfortunate incidence.

Government is determined and resolute to ensure commuters’ safety, there is no room for complacency, we don’t want to be caught off guard,” he added.

The minister also visited Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, where he assured that the maintenance of Abuja-Kaduna highway corridor and the upgrade of health centres along the highway were ready for use.

He stressed that it was envisaged that during the closure of the Abuja Airport, there was going to be monumental increase in vehicular and human movements which always come with attendant consequences.

He called on the Kaduna State Government to expedite action on the refurbishment of Doka General Hospital situated along the Abuja-Kaduna highway to provide emergency care.

He reiterated that the first aid centres and primary health care centres along the highway were being upgraded to also take care of minor injuries.

Ehanire noted that severe cases would go to the referral hospitals, including the National Hospital, Abuja, and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

He assured the public that government was on top of the situation, adding that the Federal Ministry of Health is collaborating with relevant agencies including Kaduna and Niger State governments to drive the process.