A’Ibom bans ambulances from carrying corpses
The Akwa Ibom State Government has banned the use of ambulances to transport corpses for burial, warning that any vehicle found contravening the directive could be impounded.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, announced the measure on Thursday during the monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information.
*Commissioner for Health, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Ekem John
Etim Ekpimah
The Akwa Ibom State Government has banned the use of ambulances to transport corpses for burial, warning that any vehicle found contravening the directive could be impounded.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, announced the measure on Thursday during the monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information.
John said the ban applied to all ambulances operating in the state, regardless of ownership, including privately owned, government and mission-operated vehicles.
He explained that the reform was part of efforts by Governor Umo Eno’s administration to strengthen emergency medical services and ensure that ambulances were reserved for their primary purpose of saving lives.
“Through this law, the state government has now criminalised and outlawed the use of ambulances to carry corpses,” the commissioner said.
He added that corpses should instead be transported in hearses, warning that ambulances used to convey remains could be intercepted and impounded while in transit.
“You will not find any government ambulance at any burial site. The law is very clear: whether it is a privately owned ambulance, mission ambulance or government ambulance, you cannot carry corpses,” John said.
According to him, using ambulances to transport corpses could constitute a public health risk, as the vehicles are designed and equipped for emergency medical interventions.
The commissioner said the state had, over the past 18 months, undertaken reforms aimed at improving the standard and efficiency of its ambulance services.
He noted that the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service Ambulance System, which began as a policy initiative, had now been established as a statutory agency.
John also disclosed that about nine health-related bills had been forwarded to the State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
He said the proposed legislation covered areas including hospital governance, public health security, HIV prevention, protection and anti-discrimination, as well as health standards and regulations.
The commissioner explained that once the health standards regulatory legislation became law, the relevant agency would be empowered to establish minimum standards for health facilities across the state.
He added that healthcare facilities would be required to meet the prescribed standards before they could commence operations in the state.
