Lagos warns hospitals not to deny insured patients access to essential drugs

The Lagos State Government has issued a caution to health facilities, including the General Hospital in Badagry, following reports that patients under the state health insurance scheme are being denied access to essential medications.

The warning was issued by the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) during a Sensitisation Campaign and Town Hall Meeting held at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday, which focused on the agency’s roles and responsibilities.

Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by the Director of Research and Statistics, Dr. Olorunfemi Olonire, acknowledged concerns from residents about the insurance system, noting complaints that insured patients were often told certain prescribed drugs were unavailable after treatment.

Idowu said HEFAMAA had documented these complaints and would escalate them to the Lagos State Health Management Authority (LASHMA) and its Permanent Secretary to ensure urgent attention.

“When you enter the hospital as an insured patient and are told at the pharmacy that drugs above 5% or 10% are unavailable, that undermines the insurance system and patient safety,” he said.

She said to strengthen accountability, the agency has deployed a newly introduced QR code system across public health facilities.

Idowu added that patients who are denied covered medications can scan the code to report the incident in real time, saying that complaints submitted via the QR system will be collated and forwarded to relevant authorities for prompt action.

Idowu also cautioned against unlicensed practitioners, including traditional healers and auxiliary nurses, who perform medical procedures such as intravenous drug administration at home.

He warned that such unsafe practices often endanger patients, with complications later wrongly attributed to legitimate hospitals.

The Director of the Nursing Unit, Mrs. Oluwole Titilope, highlighted the QR code system’s role in maintaining standards.

She explained that health facilities must meet specific requirements and undergo on-site inspections before registration. Facilities that pass inspections receive a certificate and official logo, signaling that they are authorized to provide safe, high-quality care.

Titilope emphasized that registration is only the first step, as HEFAMAA continuously monitors facilities to ensure ongoing compliance and patient safety.

Residents were urged to seek care only from registered facilities and to report any irregularities promptly.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring insured patients receive their entitled medications and that public health standards are strictly enforced across Lagos State.