Abuja  – The FCT administration says it will fly victims of the May 29 bomb blast in Zuba to South Africa next week for rehabilitation.

Dr Biodun Olorunfemi, Permanent Secretary in the FCTA, disclosed this on Tuesday while fielding questions from newsmen during a visit to Asokoro and Wuse General Hospitals where the victims are receiving treatment.

He said the administration would ensure that the victims continue to receive treatment “even after they are discharged.’’

“Those being taken abroad are those who lost their limbs in the Zuba bomb blast.

“The limbs will be replaced in South Africa through an arrangement made by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),’’ Olorunfemi said.

He said the doctors in South Africa were waiting for the victims to be sent down as quickly as possible and “I have assured them that this would be done within the next one week.’’

Dr Sule Ahmed, Orthopedic Surgeon with the Asokoro General Hospital, noted that the major challenge facing the patients was rehabilitation.

He said that five of the patients were in Asokoro General Hospital while  three  were in Wuse General Hospital, adding  that they were well and in stable condition.

“They are being fed free, but the major challenge facing them now is psychological as they are going to be fitted with artificial limbs in South Africa,’’ he added.

Mr Peter Ayuba, an engineer and one of the victims of the Zuba bomb blast, thanked God for  saving his life,  and the government  for offering victims  free treatment.

Miss Esther Mbalisi, one of the victims of the Mogadishu Cantonment bomb blast of Dec. 31, 2010, however, complained that she had been neglected in the last three months.

“They have been trying, but in the last three months we have not received any treatment.

“The initial arrangement was that they would fly us out for further treatment but nothing has been done in this respect; we are still waiting to hear from the government,’’ she said. (NAN)