The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called on the state government to prohibit unauthorised trading, hawking, vending and farming within the premises of public health facilities across the state to safeguard hygiene, protect patients and enhance effective healthcare delivery.
The call followed a motion presented by Previous Selong, the member representing Urue Offong/Oruko State Constituency, during Wednesday’s plenary.
Moving the motion, Selong expressed concern over the growing activities of hawkers and traders selling snacks, food items and other goods within the premises of primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities across the state.
Selong, who chairs the House Committee on Boundary and Conflict Resolution, noted that the unchecked activities of hawkers within hospital wards and clinics exposed patients to dirt, pests and disease-causing pathogens. She added that waste generated from food packaging and other items further compounded sanitation challenges faced by hospital staff.
Supporting the motion, lawmakers called on the Akwa Ibom State Hospital Management Board to strengthen sanitation and waste-management measures to ensure that public health facilities maintain clean, calm and hygienic environments conducive to patients’ recovery and effective healthcare delivery.
The lawmakers also commended the administration of Governor Umo Eno for its investments in transforming health facilities across the state, stressing the need to protect the gains of the government’s interventions through effective regulation, adequate security, improved sanitation and proper management of the facilities.
The House further urged the state government to embark on public enlightenment campaigns targeting patients, visitors, traders and members of the public to educate them on the dangers of purchasing drugs and other medical products from unauthorised vendors within hospital premises.
Udeme Otong, Speaker of the House, subsequently directed Nsikak Abasi Orok, the Clerk, to forward the resolutions to the Ministry of Health, the Hospital Management Board and the Chairman of the House Committee on Health for necessary action.
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