The Lagos State Government has urged residents to avoid unregistered hospitals and clinics operating without official approval, warning that such facilities could endanger lives.
The Permanent Secretary of the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Abiola Idowu, gave the advice on Friday during a public sensitisation event held at the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Secretariat.
Represented by the Deputy Director of the agency’s Inspection and Monitoring Unit, Oladuni Omitola, Idowu said the state government discovered lapses in health service delivery that prompted the creation of HEFAMAA to regulate and monitor healthcare providers.
She explained that only facilities accredited by the agency are recognised by the government, stressing that residents must confirm the registration status of any hospital before seeking medical attention.
“Health is wealth, and the Lagos State Government wants everyone to access only licensed and standard healthcare providers,” she said.
Idowu also revealed that the agency had introduced a digital barcode system that allows residents to verify a hospital’s accreditation status by scanning the code when they visit. The barcode can also be used to lodge complaints or commend facilities for excellent service.
According to her, HEFAMAA has so far documented more than 4,000 healthcare facilities since it began operations in 2006. She further encouraged Lagosians to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme for better access to medical services.
The agency’s Director of Administration and Human Resources, AbdulAzeez Jimoh, added that sanctions had been put in place for healthcare centres that fail to meet required standards.
He said accredited hospitals now serve as official representatives of the Lagos State Government and must maintain proper medical practices. “If you visit any facility that fails to comply, you can scan the QR code to report it directly to us,” he said.
The state government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that all medical facilities in Lagos operate within approved guidelines.
