HEFAMAA takes campaign to Agege, move to flush out unregistered health facilities

The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has stepped up its community sensitisation drive, urging residents to patronise only registered healthcare facilities to safeguard lives and ensure quality service delivery.

The call was made during a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting held at the Agege Local Government area, on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr Abiola Idowu explained that the campaign is designed to educate residents on the agency’s roles and responsibilities, as well as how to identify registered healthcare facilities.

According to Idowu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Health Educator, Mrs Oladunni Omonike,  registration with HEFAMAA confirms that a facility has qualified personnel and meets minimum operational standards.

Residents were advised not to seek medical care indiscriminately, as facilities that are not registered by HEFAMAA are deemed unqualified and often operated by uncertified personnel.

Idowu stressed that healthcare should only be accessed in facilities with trained professionals, standard equipment and a clean, safe environment.

She disclosed that Agege is the 15th local government visited under the ongoing sensitisation exercise, adding that the response from residents across the 14 previously visited local governments has been encouraging.

Idowu noted that communities are increasingly willing to embrace quality healthcare in line with its regulatory directives.

The Permanent Secretary also appealed to residents to actively participate in monitoring healthcare delivery within their communities by reporting both commendable practices and observed violations.

According to her, public feedback is crucial in identifying quackery, mushroom healthcare facilities and the training or use of unqualified personnel.

“If residents do not report what they see, enforcement becomes difficult. But once credible information is provided, the agency can act swiftly to address violations before lives are put at risk,” Idowu stated.

Speaking further, the Assistant Director, Nursing Services, HEFAMAA, Mrs Florence Odude, explained that the agency inspects and monitors all categories of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, diagnostic centres, laboratories, nursing homes and primary healthcare centres.

She said inspections focus on staffing levels, professional qualifications, licensing status and the functionality of medical equipment.

Odude noted that faulty equipment, such as defective blood pressure monitors, could result in wrong diagnoses and treatment, emphasising the need for all equipment in use to be functional and safe.

She added that environmental hygiene is another critical aspect of inspections, particularly in facilities with stagnant water and poor sanitation, which could expose patients to diseases such as malaria.

She disclosed that all inspections are properly documented and that facilities found to be in violation are sanctioned in line with the law.

Odude also warned residents against patronising unregistered facilities, noting that such centres cannot be defended by authorities in the event of medical incidents.

She encouraged residents to demand proof of professional licences from healthcare providers and to report suspicious practices, including unqualified persons administering injections.

Contact details, she said, are provided on flyers distributed during the sensitisation exercise to enable prompt reporting.

In a goodwill message, the Ologba of Ogba Kingdom, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi Oladimeji, urged health practitioners, facility managers and stakeholders to see the exercise not merely as an inspection, but as an opportunity for improvement, partnership and service excellence.

He called for sustained support for government initiatives aimed at delivering accessible, safe and people-centred healthcare across Lagos communities.