Akwa Ibom Bans Ambulances From Carrying Corpses For Burial

Akwa Ibom State has banned the use of ambulances to carry corpses for burial, saying the practice poses a public health risk.

The state government said corpses must be transported in hearses, not emergency vehicles meant for medical response.

Commissioner for Health Ekem John announced the policy during a monthly media briefing by the Ministry of Information. He said any private, government-owned or mission-owned ambulance caught carrying a corpse for burial could be impounded.

John said the rule is part of wider changes to the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service Ambulance System, which he said had moved from policy into a legal framework.

He said the state had sent about nine health-related bills to the House of Assembly, including proposals on hospital governance, public health security, HIV prevention and public health standards regulation.

Under the proposed health standards regulator, hospitals in Akwa Ibom would be required to meet minimum standards before operating.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post