The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Health Quackery (Prohibition) Bill, 2026, in a move aimed at eliminating unqualified medical practice and strengthening regulation of healthcare services in the state.

The bill, titled A Law to Prohibit Quackery Practices in the Health Sector of Cross River State, Establish the Health Monitoring Task Force, and for Other Related Matters, was sponsored by the Deputy Leader and member representing Abi State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta.

The legislation scaled third reading after lawmakers adopted the report of the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security during plenary.

Presenting the committee’s report, Chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon.Hillary Bisong, said the proposed law seeks to eliminate unlicensed medical practice, improve regulation of the health sector and safeguard the lives of Cross River residents.

Bisong said the committee subjected the bill to a public hearing attended by health professionals, civil society organisations and members of the public, who overwhelmingly supported its passage.

According to him, the legislation became necessary because of the growing activities of fake and unqualified practitioners, which have resulted in wrong diagnoses, poor treatment, avoidable deaths and declining public confidence in healthcare services.

He disclosed that the committee expanded the bill from three parts and 10 sections to four parts and 15 sections to make it more comprehensive, while recommending that its implementation should align with existing national laws regulating medical and allied health professions.

Lawmakers who contributed to the debate described the bill as a timely intervention, noting that recent cases involving unqualified persons carrying out medical procedures highlighted the need for stricter regulation and enforcement in the health sector.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, described the legislation as one of the landmark private members’ bills of the 10th Assembly, saying it reflected the Assembly’s commitment to enacting people-centred laws.

Following clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole, the House unanimously adopted the committee’s report before approving the bill for a third reading through a voice vote.

The Speaker subsequently declared the bill passed and directed that a clean copy be transmitted to the Governor, Senator Bassey Otu for assent.