RismadarVoice Reporters
August 27, 2026
Akwa Ibom State Government has outlawed the use of ambulances to convey corpses to burial sites across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, announced the new regulation on Thursday during the monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information in Uyo.
John, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umana, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, described the reform as one of the most significant interventions in the state’s health sector.
He said the new law prohibits the use of government, private and mission-owned ambulances to transport corpses, stressing that hearses should be used for such purposes.
According to him, any ambulance caught conveying a corpse for burial would be intercepted and impounded by authorised government officials.
The Commissioner said the reform was part of efforts by the Governor Umo Eno administration to institutionalise an effective emergency medical response system in the state.
He said the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service Ambulance System, which began as a policy initiative, had now been established as an agency by law.
John explained that the continued use of ambulances for transporting corpses could constitute a public health threat, noting that ambulances are primarily meant for emergency medical services.
The Commissioner further disclosed that about nine health-related bills had been forwarded to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
He said the proposed legislation covers areas including hospital governance, public health security, HIV prevention, protection and anti-discrimination, as well as public health standards and regulations.
John said the proposed health standards regulatory framework would empower the relevant agency to prescribe minimum acceptable standards for health facilities operating in the state.
He added that healthcare facilities would be required to meet stipulated standards and obligations before commencing operations once the bills become law.
