Lagos shuts 30 quack health facilities, warns residents against patronising unregistered facilities

The Lagos State Government has shut down no fewer than 30 quack health facilities in 2025, as part of its ongoing clampdown on unlicensed medical facilities operating without qualified personnel or proper accreditation.

Speaking during a Sensitisation Campaign and Townhall Meeting on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) at the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area secretariat on Friday, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by the agency’s Director of Monitoring and Inspection, Dr. Daniel Olayinka, said the exercise was aimed at safeguarding residents from unsafe healthcare practices.

According to her, the agency has stepped up its monitoring of both public and private health facilities across Lagos, shutting down those found to be in violation of standards.

“So far this year, we would have shut down not less than about 30 facilities in Lagos State. The reasons are clear: Number one, the facilities are not registered with the Lagos State Government. Number two, they don’t have qualified personnel on ground. When we visited them, they cannot show us their credentials and licences.”

She stressed that HEFAMAA’s mandate is not restricted to private hospitals alone.

“We should not think we only shut down private facilities. We also go to public facilities. In some cases, if we cannot shut down an entire facility, we close down offending units. For instance, we have shut down scanning centres in public hospitals and laboratories that fail to meet standards,” she added.

Residents Advised: Look Out for HEFAMAA Signage and QR Codes

Idowu urged residents to be vigilant when choosing healthcare centres, emphasising that every accredited facility displays HEFAMAA’s signage and certificate of registration at its reception.

“When you seek healthcare services, whether in public or private facilities in Lagos, look out for the HEFAMAA signage. That signage means the facility has been registered, inspected, and certified by us,” she explained.

She revealed that the state had also introduced QR codes to empower patients with instant verification tools.

“These QR codes have been strategically pasted in the receptions of facilities. Once scanned, you can access the name and address of the facility, the owner’s contact, and the services accredited to them. More importantly, a feedback form will pop up, where you can register your displeasure or satisfaction with the services you received. HEFAMAA sees these comments in real time and intervenes when necessary,” she noted.

Patient Safety at the Core

Also speaking, Mr. Richard Olusanya, Chief Nutrition Officer of HEFAMAA, explained that the agency was created in 2006 to guarantee patient safety by regulating standards in both public and private facilities.

“HEFAMAA was established to monitor hospitals, clinics, maternity homes and other health facilities, ensuring they adhere to global standards,” Olusanya said.

“We set requirements for equipment, personnel, and the environment before a facility can operate. For example, the person in charge of a hospital must be a qualified medical doctor. We don’t want one doctor treating the eyes, the teeth, and other conditions all at once.”

He stressed that cleanliness and specialisation are key to safe medical practice.

“We don’t want dirty environments where people are treated. We don’t want our people to fall victim to quacks. That is why we are urging residents to patronise only accredited facilities. Certificates are issued only to those who meet our standards, and even after certification, we return at least twice a year for re-inspection,” he said.

Olusanya further advised the public to spread the message in their communities and associations, saying HEFAMAA’s QR code system makes it easy to confirm the legitimacy of any health facility in Lagos.

Community Engagement

The sensitisation campaign, hosted in Ifako-Ijaiye, was warmly received by the local government authorities. Idowu commended the council chairman for the support.

She concluded by reassuring residents of government’s commitment to their safety: “We want Lagosians to seek healthcare and be happy about the quality they receive. Whether in public or private facilities, HEFAMAA is there for you.

“If you patronise unregistered clinics and something goes wrong, it will be difficult to help you. But once you go through accredited facilities, we can vouch for their quality and intervene if complaints arise.”