HEFAMAA shuts 43 Health Facilities violating Lagos safety standards

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has sealed 43 health facilities across Lagos State between the first and third quarters of 2025 for operating below the required standards and violating established regulations.

Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr Abiola Idowu, disclosed this during a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting held at Surulere Local Government on Wednesday.

According to her, the enforcement exercise was part of the agency’s continuous effort to ensure that all health facilities in Lagos operate within the framework of professional ethics and safety standards approved by the state government.

“Between the first and third quarters of this year, we have shut down or sealed about 43 health facilities that are not operating according to our standards or are not in compliance with our set regulations,” Idowun, who was represented by the agency’s Head of Research and Statistics, Dr Olonire Olorunfemi, said.

“HEFAMAA is saddled with the responsibility of regulating the practices of both public and private health facilities in Lagos State, and we will not compromise on quality,” she added.

Idowu explained that the sensitisation campaign was aimed at educating residents of Surulere and its environs on how to identify and access quality healthcare services close to them.

“We are here today in Surulere Local Government for a town hall meeting to sensitise members of the community about the roles and responsibilities of HEFAMAA and the Lagos State Government’s concern for their health,” she said, saying that “Our mission is to enlighten residents on how to access quality healthcare at both public and private facilities near their homes.”

She noted that the agency’s officers have been engaging residents on how to differentiate between registered and unregistered health facilities, stressing that HEFAMAA’s primary goal is to protect citizens from quackery and unsafe medical practices.

“Our officers have provided excellent information on how people in Surulere can identify and make use of registered health facilities in Lagos State.

“We encourage residents to report any facility they suspect is operating illegally, offering low-quality services, or posing risks to their health or safety in their communities,” Idowu stated.

The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery through strict monitoring and enforcement, assuring that HEFAMAA would continue to act in the best interest of Lagos residents.

“HEFAMAA is here for everyone. We are here to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and to make sure every Lagos resident has access to safe, reliable, and standard medical services,” she said.

The Chief Nutrition Officer of HEFAMAA, Mr Richard Olusanya, underscored the importance of registration and the use of QR codes in ensuring transparency and safety within Lagos State’s healthcare system.

Speaking on the topic “Importance of Registration and the QR Codes,” Olusanya recalled that HEFAMAA was established in 2006 to regulate and monitor hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, and other healthcare facilities across the state.

He explained that the agency’s core mandate is to ensure compliance with approved standards on personnel, equipment, and environment, stressing that only qualified medical professionals are authorised to operate health facilities.

“If you are running a hospital, the person in charge must be a licensed medical doctor or nurse,” he stated.

“We don’t want a situation where one person treats the eyes, teeth, and every other ailment, that’s how people fall victim to quackery,” he added.

Olusanya noted that HEFAMAA conducts biannual inspections of health facilities to confirm adherence to regulatory standards, clarifying that clinics are not designed to operate round-the-clock like hospitals.

He further urged operators of both public and private health facilities to display their registration certificates where patients can easily see them, describing it as a mark of legitimacy and public trust.