The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, has described the passage of the Health Quackery (Prohibition) Bill, 2026 by the Cross River State House of Assembly as a landmark step towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, saying the legislation will strengthen healthcare regulation, protect residents and improve the quality of health services across the state.
Dr. Ayuk, who spoke with journalists in his office following the passage of the bill, commended the Cross River State House of Assembly for what he described as assiduous legislative work and commitment towards providing a legal framework to address the growing challenge of quackery in the health sector.
The Commissioner noted that health quackery remains a major threat to safe and effective healthcare delivery, stressing that the practice goes beyond unqualified medical personnel to include failure by individuals and establishments across the health value chain to comply with approved regulatory standards.
He explained that the new legislation covers a wide range of healthcare services, including public and private medical facilities, nursing homes, maternity centres, laboratories, pharmaceutical services, physiotherapy facilities, mortuaries, healthcare training institutions, school health services, geriatric care and traditional healing practices.
“The passage of this bill is a landmark step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Cross River State. It will provide the legal backing required to strengthen healthcare regulation, protect patients and ensure that citizens receive safe, quality and professional healthcare services,” Ayuk stated.
The Commissioner attributed the achievement to the commitment and supportive environment created by Governor Bassey Edet Otu, recalling that the bill was first initiated in 2016 but remained inactive until the present administration revived the process.
He said the legislation aligns with Governor Otu’s broader health sector reforms aimed at improving healthcare quality, strengthening accountability and ensuring better health outcomes for the people of Cross River State.
Ayuk also commended the contributions of critical stakeholders, including the State Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Health Quality and Anti-Quackery Task Force, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nigerian Medical Association and other partners whose collective efforts contributed to the successful passage of the bill.
He assured the House of Assembly and other stakeholders of the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation of the law, stressing that the ultimate objective is to eliminate harmful practices, restore public confidence and advance the state’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
“Our responsibility now is to ensure that the provisions of this law are fully implemented. We will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to improve healthcare standards and guarantee that Cross Riverians have access to safe and regulated health services,” he added.
The Health Quackery (Prohibition) Bill, sponsored by the Deputy Leader of the House and Member representing Abi State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, seeks to prohibit quackery practices in the state’s health sector, establish a Health Monitoring Task Force and strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing healthcare standards.
Presenting the report of the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security before its adoption, the Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Hillary Ekpang Bisong, said the legislation became necessary due to the activities of fake and unqualified practitioners, which have contributed to wrong diagnoses, poor treatment outcomes, avoidable deaths and declining public confidence in healthcare services.
Bisong explained that the committee expanded the bill from three parts and ten sections to four parts and fifteen sections to make it more comprehensive, while ensuring that enforcement aligns with existing national laws regulating medical and allied health professions.
Following clause-by-clause consideration, the House unanimously passed the bill after its third reading, with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, describing it as one of the landmark private members’ bills of the 10th Assembly and a demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to people-centred legislation.
The clean copy of the bill has been transmitted to Governor Bassey Edet Otu for assent.
By Kingsley Agim
