Lagos charges residents to patronise only accredited Health facilities

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government has called on residents to seek medical care only from registered and accredited health facilities, warning against patronising unapproved centres that could endanger lives.

Speaking at a Sensitisation Campaign and Town Hall Meeting on the roles and responsibilities of the Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abiola Idowu, said the campaign was aimed at empowering the public to identify approved facilities and understand the services each category is licensed to provide.

“We want the general public to recognise and patronise only registered health facilities,” Idowu said.

“That is why we have come to show them our logo and let them know that we have health facilities in categories. We also want to emphasise the type of healthcare service that will be provided by each category of health facility,” she said.

Giving an example, she explained: “In a dental clinic, the only type of service you are going to get is dental services. We want people to be able to recognise this for themselves.”

To achieve this, Idowu announced that QR codes have been introduced in registered facilities to enable instant verification.

“The QR code, once scanned with your phone, will tell you the type of facility, the name of the proprietor, the proprietor’s phone number, and the services you should expect to receive at that facility,” she said.

According to her, the system also allows for immediate feedback. “If you have any comments or complaints, you can interact directly with the agency, telling us whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the service you received,” Idowu explained.

She urged residents to act as partners in ensuring quality healthcare by reporting illegal facilities.

“We want everyone to patronise only facilities registered by the Lagos State Government. If you see something, tell us. Report facilities that are not registered in your community,” she said, stressing: “Government has given us the power to regulate health facilities in the state and to ensure standards. When you enter a hospital, ensure that what they give you is quality and not substandard.”

The Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, represented by the Council Leader, Hon. Ismaila Onikosi, commended Lagos HEFAMAA for bringing the sensitisation drive to the community.

“The health of my people is paramount to me. Use this information, pay attention to what will be given to you in this town hall meeting for the benefit of mankind and humanity,” she said.

Dr. Daniel Olayinka, Director of Monitoring and Inspection at HEFAMAA, gave further insight into the agency’s work, noting that the Health Sector Reform Law of 2006 established the body to enforce compliance in hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, among others.

“We go to hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and others to do routine monitoring to ensure they comply with our standards,” Olayinka said.

“To recognise an approved health facility, you will see our logo. If you don’t see our logo—whether hospital, maternity home, or others—you can begin to doubt. Don’t patronise such facilities.”

He also urged residents to look out for certificates of recognition or accreditation, which must be displayed in all registered facilities.

“If you don’t see the certificate, begin to doubt. Also, look out for our QR code. If you scan it, it will display information about the facility. For instance, if the facility is a clinic, they are not supposed to perform surgical operations,” he explained.

Reiterating the agency’s commitment, Olayinka declared: “HEFAMAA is there for you. We are for quality and patient safety. We don’t want our people to go to health facilities to receive substandard treatment. We don’t want people leaving this world as a result of malpractices in the health sector.”