The Lagos State Government, through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, shut down 20 health facilities in the month of January for non-compliance with regulatory standards.

The Executive Secretary, HEFAMAA, Dr Abiola Idowu, revealed this after a recent enforcement exercise carried out by the agency, stressing that the State government remains committed to sustaining the fight against the engagement of unqualified personnel in health facilities and will continue to insist on a suitable environment for the dispensation of medical care for promotion and maintenance of good health.

Idowu warned that the government will not tolerate any form of illegal health practices in the State, saying that “health security, an integral part of public security is the primary duty of the government”.

Dr Idowu urged all health facility operators across the State to abide strictly by the standards of HEFAMAA to avoid being sanctioned.

Commenting on the activities of the agency in the previous year, she disclosed that a total of 309 facilities were shut down in 2019 for lack of compliance to stipulated standards, adding that some of them had been reopened because they corrected the infractions and promised to abide by set standards.

Idowu revealed that HEFAMAA is poised to becoming a health regulatory agency that will effectively promote quality healthcare delivery to Lagosians by enhancing its capacity to carry out accreditation and effective quality assurance monitoring of all health facilities in the State, increasing public awareness to sensitise critical stakeholders and the public as well as improving collaboration with stakeholders and the public with a view to improving quality of healthcare delivery in Lagos.

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While encouraging owners of health facilities to carry out their operations in accordance with set standards, the Executive Secretary maintained that all new or intending operators must register with the agency through its website at www.hefamaalagosstate.gov.ng before commencing medical practice and implored existing registered operators to ensure prompt renewal of their certificates to avoid being sanctioned.

Therefore, she called on members of the public to continue supporting and cooperating with the State government in its fight against quackery and illegal operation of facilities by reporting those behind such acts to relevant government agencies to safeguard the health and well-being of the citizenry.

“I will advise Lagosians to be cautious and desist from patronising uncertified service providers and if you suspect foul play or notice illegal operations in your community, do not hesitate to contact HEFAMAA for prompt action”, she stated.