HEFAMAA intensifies grassroots campaign for safer healthcare in Lagos

The Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has intensified its grassroots sensitisation campaign to educate Lagos residents on the importance of accessing healthcare services only from accredited and registered facilities.

Speaking at a town hall meeting held at the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Secretariat, Oshodi on Friday, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, said the programme aims to enlighten communities on the agency’s roles and responsibilities in safeguarding public health across the state.

“The essence of this programme is to let members of the community understand what HEFAMAA stands for,” Idowu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Health Education, Mrs. Omonike Oladunmi, said.

She added: “HEFAMAA is responsible for ensuring access to quality healthcare services from registered health facilities. We want people to know that they should only visit facilities registered with HEFAMAA because we verify their quality, inspect their equipment, and assess the competence of their personnel before registration.”

Idowu explained that once a health facility is accredited and issued the HEFAMAA logo, the agency is confident in the quality of services such facilities deliver.

“That is why we are moving from one local government to another, sensitising community members to patronise facilities that display the HEFAMAA logo, certificate, and QR code,” she stated.

Idowu also introduced the agency’s latest innovation-the HEFAMAA QR code system, designed to enhance transparency and improve service monitoring in hospitals and clinics across Lagos.

“The QR code is a new development we have implemented in almost all health facilities across Lagos State. It is conspicuously displayed in each facility.

“When you visit any hospital, you can simply scan the code with your phone to view details such as the facility’s name, the doctor in charge, and the services it is licensed to provide,” she said.

According to her, the QR code also enables patients to lodge complaints or share their experiences directly with the agency.

“By scanning the code, you can send an email describing your experience. Our system automatically identifies the facility, and we can respond promptly. You don’t even need to include your name, the QR code gives us all the information we need to take action,” she explained.

Also speaking at the event, the Head of HEFAMAA’s Nursing Unit, Mrs. Titilope Oluwole, urged residents to support the state government’s drive to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing quality healthcare services.

She encouraged community members to patronise only registered and accredited hospitals, stressing that such compliance would help reduce quackery and improve health outcomes.

A community leader, Mr. Rahmon Semiudeen, commended the agency for its efforts in protecting residents from unqualified practitioners.

He, however, appealed to the state government to deploy more health workers to public hospitals in the area to enhance service delivery.