By Ernest Udoh-Robert
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) officially passed a bill to establish the State Department of Mental Health Services on Tuesday, 7 April.
The legislation aims to modernize, regulate, and enhance the delivery of mental healthcare throughout the state. It replaces the archaic Lunacy Law of 1916, bringing the state’s medical legal framework into the 21st century.
Key highlights of the legislation
presented by Hon. Moses Essien, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, the bill introduces several critical reforms:
Rights Protection: Safeguards the rights of individuals with intellectual, psychosocial, and cognitive disabilities.
Modern standards: Establishes clear guidelines for obtaining informed consent for treatment.
Regulatory power: Empowers the Commissioner for Health to formulate and implement necessary regulations.
Community care: Shifts the focus toward quality rehabilitation and community-based treatment models.
Legislative process
During the plenary, Hon. Essien emphasised that the law provides a “coordinated framework” essential for improving access to care. Following a clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole, the bill successfully passed its third reading.
The Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, officially announced the passage after a motion for adoption was moved by Hon. Jerry Otu and seconded by Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah.
Next steps: The Speaker has directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. NsiakakAbasi Orok, to transmit the resolution to the State Governor for final assent.
Background
The bill has undergone rigorous scrutiny over the past month:
10th March 2026: Scaled second reading and referred to the Committee on Health
23rd March 2026: A public hearing was conducted to gather memoranda and expert input from health sector stakeholders.
This a good development