HEFAMAA ENGAGES AGEGE COMMUNITY, WARNS AGAINST PATRONAGE OF ILLEGAL HEALTH CENTRES
In its continued effort to protect residents from substandard medical services, the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has intensified its grassroots engagement, taking its awareness campaign to Agege Local Government Area with a strong message on the dangers of unregistered healthcare facilities.
The community outreach, which featured a sensitisation programme and interactive town hall session, focused on empowering residents with knowledge on how to identify approved health facilities and why such choices are critical to patient safety and quality care.
Addressing participants at the event, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu explained that the exercise is part of the agency’s wider strategy to bring healthcare regulation closer to the people.
She noted that registration with HEFAMAA is not a formality but a confirmation that a facility meets required standards and is staffed by qualified professionals.
Dr. Idowu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Health Educator, Mrs. Oladunni Omonike cautioned residents against seeking treatment from unaccredited centres, stressing that such facilities often operate outside the law and pose serious risks to patients’ lives.
She disclosed that Agege marked the 15th local government covered in the ongoing awareness drive, adding that feedback from earlier visits has shown growing public understanding and support for regulated healthcare delivery across the state.
According to her, the success of the campaign depends largely on community involvement, urging residents to serve as partners in safeguarding healthcare standards by reporting both good practices and infractions observed within their neighbourhoods.
“Community members are the first to notice what happens in these facilities. When they speak up, it enables us to intervene early and prevent avoidable harm,” she said.
Also, speaking at the event, the Assistant Director, Nursing Services, HEFAMAA, Mrs. Florence Odude highlighted the scope of the agency’s regulatory oversight, which covers hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, laboratories, diagnostic centres, nursing homes, and primary healthcare facilities.
She explained that inspections are carried out to assess personnel qualifications, licensing status, equipment functionality, and overall environmental conditions.
Mrs. Odude noted that the use of faulty medical equipment could lead to incorrect diagnoses, while poor sanitation within health facilities could expose patients to preventable diseases.
She emphasised that inspection outcomes are thoroughly documented and that facilities found wanting are penalised in accordance with existing regulations.
Mrs. Odude further warned that patients who patronise illegal health centres are often left without recourse in the event of complications, as such facilities are not recognised by regulatory authorities.
She encouraged residents to request proof of professional licences from healthcare providers and to promptly report suspicious practices, including the administration of injections by unqualified individuals.
At the event, informational flyers containing HEFAMAA’s contact details were distributed to enable residents to easily report concerns and seek clarification when in doubt.
In his goodwill remarks, the Ologba of Ogba Kingdom, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi Oladimeji, described the sensitisation exercise as a positive step towards strengthening healthcare delivery at the community level.
He urged healthcare providers and facility operators to view the campaign as an avenue for collaboration and continuous improvement rather than enforcement alone.
The Monarch reaffirmed his support for government-driven initiatives aimed at ensuring safe, accessible and people-focused healthcare services for all residents of Lagos State.
Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency
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