The Akwa Ibom State Government has prohibited the use of ambulances for transporting corpses to burial venues, warning that any vehicle found violating the directive will be seized.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, announced the policy on Thursday during the monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information in Uyo.
Key Highlights
- Akwa Ibom bans ambulances from transporting corpses to burial venues.
- Vehicles caught conveying corpses with ambulances will be seized and impounded.
- The new law applies to private, government and mission-owned ambulances.
- The government says ambulances are strictly for emergency medical services.
- Hearses should be used for transporting corpses.
Addressing journalists alongside the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umana, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, John described the move as a major milestone in the ongoing reform of the state’s healthcare system.
According to him, the prohibition is backed by the newly established Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service Ambulance System Agency, which has now been institutionalised through legislation.
He explained that the law expressly forbids the use of ambulances—whether privately owned, government-operated or mission-owned—for conveying corpses, insisting that such duties should be handled exclusively by hearses.
John noted that the administration of Governor Umo Eno has transformed ambulance services in the state over the past 18 months, aligning operations with international best practices.
“Ambulances are meant for emergency medical services and not for transporting corpses. The law now criminalises that practice.Any ambulance found conveying a corpse for burial can be intercepted and impounded by government officials,” he stated.
The commissioner stressed that using ambulances for such purposes poses public health risks and undermines the emergency response system designed to save lives.
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He urged residents to comply with the new regulation, warning that offenders would face sanctions under the law.
Speaking further, John disclosed that the state government has forwarded about nine health-related bills to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
The proposed legislations, he said, cover key areas including hospital governance, public health security, HIV prevention, protection and anti-discrimination, as well as public health standards and regulations.
He explained that once the health standards regulatory bill is enacted, a dedicated agency would be empowered to establish and enforce minimum operational standards for healthcare facilities across the state.
According to him, hospitals and other health institutions would be required to meet specified conditions before being licensed to operate, a measure aimed at improving healthcare quality and patient safety throughout Akwa Ibom.
