The Akwa Ibom State Government has outlawed the use of ambulances to transport corpses for burial across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, announced the new regulation during the Ministry of Information’s monthly media briefing on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
According to the commissioner, the ban applies to all ambulances operating in the state, regardless of ownership, including private, religious mission and government-owned ambulances.
He warned that any ambulance found transporting a corpse could be impounded in accordance with the new regulation.
John said the measure was part of the reforms introduced by the administration of Governor Umo Eno to strengthen the state’s emergency medical services and bring ambulance operations in line with international standards.
He explained that the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service Ambulance System, which initially began as a policy, had now been formally established as an agency through legislation.
“Through this law, the state government has now criminalised and outlawed the use of ambulances to carry corpses,” John said.
He stressed that ambulances are intended for emergency medical services and should not be used for transporting dead bodies.
According to him, the use of ambulances to convey corpses poses a potential public health risk, adding that hearses should be used for the transportation of corpses instead.
The commissioner also 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 several areas, including hospital governance, public health security, HIV prevention, protection and anti-discrimination, as well as public health standards and regulations.
John explained that once the proposed health standards regulatory laws are enacted, the relevant agency would be empowered to establish and enforce minimum standards for health facilities across the state.
He added that hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities would be required to meet stipulated regulatory standards before being allowed to commence operations in Akwa Ibom State.
