HEFAMAA Increases Public Awareness On Safe Healthcare Delivery In Surulere

The Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has intensified its public sensitisation efforts in Surulere, urging residents to report any unregistered or substandard healthcare facilities operating within their communities. This call was made during a Sensitisation Campaign and Town Hall Meeting themed “The Roles and Responsibilities of HEFAMAA in Lagos State,” held at the Surulere Local Government Secretariat. The initiative aimed to educate the public on the importance of accessing only registered and government-approved health facilities, thereby promoting safer healthcare delivery across the state.

Addressing participants at the event, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by Dr. Olonire Olufemi, Head of Research and Statistics, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that all health facilities in Lagos provide quality and safe medical services. She disclosed that between the first and third quarters of 2025, the agency had shut down and sealed about 43 health facilities for failing to comply with operational standards. Dr. Idowu urged residents to collaborate with HEFAMAA by reporting illegal, unsafe, or unhygienic healthcare practices that could endanger lives, emphasizing that the agency’s mission is to guarantee access to reliable healthcare for every Lagos resident.

In his remarks, Chief Marufudeen Bolaji Alimi, the Baba Oloja of Ikate, who represented His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulatef Atanda Abiodun Adams, the Onikate of Ikate, Surulere, commended the Lagos State Government for the initiative. He described the programme as a timely and impactful effort to combat malpractice in the health sector, highlighting how it has enlightened residents about the crucial role of HEFAMAA in regulating hospitals and clinics. He further encouraged citizens to always verify the legitimacy of health facilities before seeking medical care and to report illegal practitioners to the authorities.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Richard Olusanya underscored the importance of proper registration of health facilities and the innovative use of QR codes for easy verification. He explained that HEFAMAA, established in 2006 under the Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law, is mandated to regulate, monitor, and accredit all public and private health facilities to ensure they meet approved standards. Olusanya clarified that the agency is not a law enforcement body but a regulatory institution focused on compliance, quality improvement, and protecting public health.

He further elaborated on the agency’s new QR Code initiative, which enables residents to easily verify registered healthcare facilities and report malpractice directly to HEFAMAA. The sensitisation exercise in Surulere forms part of the agency’s broader drive to increase public awareness and promote safer healthcare delivery across Lagos State. By encouraging collaboration between citizens and the government, HEFAMAA continues to strengthen the health sector’s integrity, ensuring that Lagosians receive quality, safe, and accessible medical services.