The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has sealed 12 health facilities across the State in the months of January and February 2021.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Abiola Idowu, who disclosed this today in her office at Tisco Plaza, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja, during a review of the activities of the Agency, explained that the Agency decided to close the facilities including hospitals, clinics, laboratories and nursing homes spread across the State, for offences ranging from inadequate basic equipment, working without required qualifications, operating without licenses to the training of auxiliary nurses and practising beyond schedule.

She warned that the Agency will continue to support the State Government against any form of illegal health practices, just as she urged health facility operators to abide strictly by the set standards to avoid sanctions.

Dr. Idowu advised new facility owners to register with the Agency before commencing operations to protect the health of the people, adding that operators of existing registered facilities should ensure prompt renewal of their certificates to avoid penalties.

She emphasised that the first step to take when registering a new facility is to address an application letter to the Commissioner for Health at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, noting that such application will then be directed to the Agency for necessary action.

The Executive Secretary urged the public to continue supporting the government in its fight against quackery and operation of illegal health facilities by reporting people behind such acts to the Agency to safeguard the health and well-being of the citizens.

Answering questions on the criteria considered by the Agency during inspection and monitoring of health facilities in the State, the Executive Secretary mentioned that qualification of the personnel, operations and processes of the facility, its environment and standard of equipment as well as compliance with standards and quality of services rendered are the key ingredients of the Agency’s monitoring and inspection activities.

She reiterated that any facility that operates without a licence is doing so illegally and contravening the law of the State, warning that “Your facility will be shut down and the owner may be prosecuted or fined depending on the gravity of the infractions”.

Idowu reaffirmed the commitment of the Agency to achieve accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for residents of Lagos State.