HEFAMAA Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Health Facilities in Agege Community

 The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has taken its campaign for medical excellence to Agege Local Government Area, warning residents against the grave dangers of patronizing unregistered healthcare providers. During a grassroots engagement session, the agency emphasized that seeking treatment at unaccredited centers poses a significant risk to life. The outreach included an interactive town hall designed to empower community members with the tools to identify legitimate, state-approved facilities.

​Addressing the gathered residents, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, clarified that the agency’s registration process is far more than a mere formality. She explained that accreditation serves as a rigorous confirmation that a facility meets the required clinical standards and is staffed by qualified, licensed professionals. Dr. Idowu, who was represented by Mrs. Oladunni Omonike, stressed that unregistered clinics often operate outside the law, lacking the oversight necessary to guarantee patient safety and quality care.

​The Agege outreach marks the 15th local government visited in this ongoing statewide awareness drive. According to the agency, the success of healthcare regulation depends heavily on community surveillance and participation. Residents were encouraged to act as "neighborhood watchmen" for the health sector, reporting any suspicious activities or facilities to HEFAMAA. This partnership is viewed as essential for intervening early and preventing avoidable medical tragedies caused by quackery.

​Providing further technical insight, the Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Florence Odude, detailed the scope of HEFAMAA’s oversight. This includes hospitals, maternity homes, laboratories, and primary healthcare centers. She warned that the use of faulty equipment and poor sanitation in illegal centers often leads to misdiagnosis and the spread of preventable diseases. Furthermore, she cautioned that victims of malpractice in illegal facilities have no legal recourse since the centers are not recognized by the state.

​The event concluded with the distribution of informational flyers containing HEFAMAA’s direct contact channels to facilitate easy reporting. Supporting the initiative, the Ologba of Ogba Kingdom, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi Oladimeji, lauded the government's efforts to sanitize the health sector. He urged healthcare operators to see HEFAMAA not just as an enforcement body, but as a partner in continuous improvement, ensuring that every Lagosian has access to safe and reliable medical services.