By Raymond Ken-Mbata
29th August 2026
UYO — The Akwa Ibom State Government has criminalised the use of ambulances to transport corpses to burial sites across the state, declaring that such vehicles must now be reserved strictly for emergency medical services.
The announcement was made on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, during the monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information in Uyo. Dr. John said the new directive applies to all categories of ambulances, including those owned by the government, private operators, and religious missions. He warned that any ambulance found conveying a corpse would be impounded by government officials.
According to the Commissioner, the ban is part of an ongoing restructuring of the state’s emergency medical response system aimed at aligning ambulance operations with international best practices. He explained that the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service Ambulance System, which began as a government policy, has now been institutionalised through legislation. “Corpses are carried by hearses. When ambulances are used to carry corpses, you are creating a public health threat to the rest of the public,” Dr. John stated.
The Commissioner further noted that the reform also eliminates the practice of having government ambulances present at burial ceremonies. “You will not find any government ambulance at any burial site,” he said, stressing that the vehicles are designed and equipped solely to provide emergency medical assistance to living patients. He described the move as one of the most significant changes introduced into the health sector under Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
Dr. John also disclosed that about nine health-related bills have been forwarded to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for consideration. These include bills on hospital governance, public health security, HIV prevention, and a proposed Health Standards Regulatory Bill to set minimum standards for health facilities. The government says the new legal framework will empower relevant agencies to enforce compliance across the state.
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