The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has reaffirmed its resolve to crack down on unregistered and substandard health facilities across Lagos State, in a renewed effort to safeguard lives and strengthen healthcare delivery.
EpeInsights learnt that the agency gave the assurance during a sensitisation and advocacy exercise held on Tuesday in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Addressing stakeholders, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, reiterated that the agency will not relent in sanitising the sector by shutting down illegal operators and prosecuting offenders.
Represented by the Director of Monitoring and Inspection, Dr. Olayinka Daniel, Idowu explained that the campaign was designed to educate community leaders, health workers and residents on the dangers of patronising unlicensed practitioners, while also promoting the benefits of registering facilities with the government.
She noted that HEFAMAA’s combined strategy of enforcement and sensitisation is already producing results, with more operators coming forward to regularise their facilities, thereby raising healthcare standards in the state.
“We will continue to work in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus agenda to ensure safe, accessible, and quality healthcare for all Lagosians. Residents must remain vigilant and report suspicious facilities within their communities,” Dr. Idowu said.
Highlighting recent innovations, she revealed that signage, identification logos, and QR codes have been introduced to help residents easily verify accredited health facilities.
HEFAMAA’s Chief Nutrition Officer, Mr. Richard Olusanya, underscored the need for facilities to meet professional standards, stressing that only qualified personnel should manage hospitals and clinics.
“We don’t want one person claiming to treat everything—from eyes and teeth to surgeries. Every facility must display its registration certificate and ensure qualified staff are in charge,” Olusanya cautioned.
He added that the QR code system now allows residents to confirm a facility’s details—such as name, address, and ownership—while also providing instant feedback to HEFAMAA.
In his goodwill message, the Olu of Iwa Kingdom, Apapa, Oba Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa, urged residents to avoid patronising unregistered chemists and herbal centres, describing them as a major risk to public health. He pledged support for the government’s efforts:
“My palace is open to anyone who wants to report such facilities. I will personally ensure that relevant government agencies take prompt action,” the monarch assured.
The sensitisation programme featured an interactive session, motorised campaign across Ajeromi-Ifelodun, distribution of educational materials, and robust engagements with community stakeholders, all geared towards strengthening best practices in healthcare delivery.
