HEFAMAA intensifies crackdown on illegal health facilities across Lagos
The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has intensified its community outreach across Lagos State, ramping up advocacy against unregistered health facilities and unsafe medical practices.
At a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting held in Ojo Local Government Area, the Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr. Abiola Idowu, urged residents to take greater responsibility for their health by patronising only licensed and accredited healthcare providers.
Represented by the Deputy Director of Health Education, Mrs. Oladunni Omonike, Idowu said the ongoing statewide campaign is designed to bring regulatory awareness closer to communities and empower residents to identify legitimate healthcare centres through official verification tools, including registration insignia and QR codes.
She noted that the engagement drive has significantly boosted public awareness and participation, with attendance exceeding expectations in several local government areas visited so far.
According to her, the heightened awareness has also resulted in an increase in actionable reports from the public, enabling the agency to respond more swiftly to illegal operations.
She disclosed that several unregistered facilities have been shut down in recent weeks, underscoring the agency’s commitment to strict enforcement of regulatory standards.
Speaking further, HEFAMAA’s Chief Nutrition Officer, Mr. Richard Olusanya, reiterated the agency’s regulatory mandate, stressing that healthcare facilities must operate within clearly defined professional standards.
He emphasised that only qualified and licensed practitioners are permitted to manage medical establishments, warning against the risks posed by untrained individuals offering specialised services without proper certification.
Olusanya added that routine inspections are conducted periodically to ensure compliance with staffing requirements, equipment standards and environmental safety protocols. He also urged healthcare providers to prominently display their registration credentials to assure patients of their legitimacy.
