The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has reaffirmed its determination to stamp out quackery in the health sector while assuring residents of improved access to safe and standard healthcare services across the state.
This assurance was given during a one-day Sensitisation Campaign and Town Hall Meeting on “The Roles and Responsibilities of HEFAMAA in Lagos State,” held at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, says the Lagos State Government on Thursday.
The event is part of HEFAMAA’s ongoing public enlightenment campaign to promote safe, ethical, and patient-centred medical practice in Lagos State.
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Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by Mrs. Oladunni Olutola, Deputy Director of Health Education, said the agency remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that all health facilities in Lagos operate within approved ethical, medical, and environmental standards.
She stressed that HEFAMAA’s mandate extends beyond routine inspection and regulation of hospitals, explaining that part of its responsibility is to empower citizens to understand and demand their rights to quality healthcare.
“Every patient has the right to be treated with respect, to understand the nature of the treatment being administered, and to be fully informed about their care. When people know their rights, healthcare workers are more conscious of their responsibilities,” Idowu said.
She urged residents to report cases of negligence, unprofessional conduct, or exploitation by health workers, noting that collaboration between the public and the government is vital in ridding the sector of malpractice.
Meanwhile, Idowu said the Lagos State Government continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure and workforce training, but the desired outcomes can only be achieved if health workers uphold professionalism and empathy in their service delivery.
“We continuously train doctors and nurses on professionalism and patient relations, but we also remind them that a good attitude attracts patients while a bad attitude drives them away,” she stated.
In his presentation, Mr. Richard Olusanya, Chief Nutrition Officer at HEFAMAA, outlined the agency’s regulatory framework, noting that only licensed medical practitioners and qualified personnel are permitted to operate health facilities in the state.
“Our mandate is to ensure that only qualified personnel manage health facilities. The person in charge of a hospital must be a licensed doctor or nurse; we cannot allow unqualified individuals to treat patients,” he said,” he explained.
Olusanya also highlighted the introduction of a QR code verification system that allows residents to confirm the authenticity of any registered health facility in Lagos.
“By scanning the QR code displayed at any registered health facility, you can instantly verify its authenticity, see the owner’s name, address, and even send your feedback directly to HEFAMAA,” he said, describing the initiative as a major step towards transparency and accountability.
He further encouraged community leaders and participants to spread awareness about HEFAMAA’s work, emphasising that grassroots engagement remains crucial to eliminating quackery and restoring public confidence in healthcare delivery.
