Oct. 3, 2021

The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) sealed 17 health facilities across the State in the months of July and August 2021.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Abiola Idowu, who disclosed this during a media chat to educate residents of Epe division on the roles and responsibilities of HEFAMAA, stated that the facilities were shut down for non-compliance with regulatory standards, adding that a total of 1304 facilities have been monitored so far in 2021.

She explained that the Agency was established by the Health Sector Reform Law of 2006 with the mandate to set the required minimum standards for the operations of public and private health facilities in the State, as well as accredit, inspect, monitor and license health facilities, public and private.

Answering the question on the type of infractions committed, Idowu listed lack of basic equipment, working without required qualifications, operating without licenses as well as practising beyond scope and training of auxiliary nurses who, according to her, can become a menace to the society as they can set up and run illegal facilities in the future.

The Executive Secretary revealed that the campaign also aimed at sensitising the public on the need to expose quacks in the system to safeguard the health of Lagosians.

She advised new facilities to register with the Agency before commencing operations, adding that operators of existing registered facilities should ensure prompt renewal of their certificates to avoid sanction.

Idowu emphasised that the first step towards registering a new facility is to address a letter of intent to the Commissioner for Health at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. Such letter, she said, would be directed to the Agency for necessary action.

She added that other important requirements include the certificate of incorporation, evidence of tax payment, resident status, qualification of the personnel and standard of equipment, amongst others.

Highlights of the sensitisation campaign include advocacy visits to the Medical Directors of Epe and Ketu-Ejinrin General Hospitals, the Medical Officer of Health, Epe Primary Healthcare Centre, other public places and markets, including the Oluwo Fish market.