The Akwa Ibom State Government has outlawed the use of ambulances to convey corpses for burial across the state, saying the vehicles should be reserved strictly for emergency medical services.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, announced the directive on Thursday during the monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information in Uyo. He said corpses should instead be transported in hearses.
John said the ban applies to all ambulances operating in the state, including government-owned, privately owned and mission-operated vehicles. He warned that any ambulance found conveying a corpse for burial would be impounded.
The commissioner said the measure was part of reforms to strengthen the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service Ambulance System, which has now been established as a statutory agency. He explained that using ambulances to transport corpses could pose a public health risk and undermine the purpose of emergency medical services.
John also disclosed that about nine health-related bills had been forwarded to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
He said the proposed laws cover areas including hospital governance, public health security, HIV prevention and anti-discrimination, as well as health standards and regulations.
