Lagos To Clamp Down On Quackery And Illegal Health Facilities

Lagos State Government, through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), is set to clamp down on all illegal health facilities in the State to safeguard the health of the citizenry.

Executive Secretary, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu who made the disclosure at the end of a three-day capacity building training for staff of the Agency, explained that HEFAMAA will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all facilities operating across the State are duly registered and operated by qualified health care providers.

“As a regulatory agency, we would also ensure that health facilities operating in the State are well equipped to provide quality and efficient services in line with the minimum set standards”, she added.

While noting that the State government would not rest in its fight to rid the State of quackery, unregistered and substandard health facilities, Idowu stressed that training and orientation of the Agency’s staff is one of the strategies designed to ensure delivery of the mandate of the Agency.

She added that the capacity building is part of the Agency’s initiatives geared towards making it a world-class regulatory agency to ensure that only excellent, quality and efficient health care services are provided in Lagos State.

Dr. Idowu reiterated the commitment of the State government to accessible and qualitative health care service delivery, disclosing that the training, which cuts across all cadres of Staff in the Agency including Doctors, nurses, drivers as well as clerical officers, administrative officers and scientific officers, is anchored on the core values of integrity, professionalism, accountability, excellence and team spirit of the agency.

“HEFAMAA would continue to train and re-train its staff in line with its core mandate, we would strive at all times to broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge and enlighten them on the current trends of quality service delivery as well as re-orientate them on the need to imbibe and exude professionalism in their relationship with clients and other stakeholders”, the Executive Secretary said.

She hinted that the agency is currently reviewing its handbook for private health facilities operating in the State to provide a guideline for staffing, procurement of appropriate equipment and other basic amenities amongst other details.

“We are currently reviewing our handbook for private health facilities to acquaint them basic requirements and other details that will also be of immense benefits for the populace”, she said.

Director, Quality Assurance, Pharm Access, Dr. Ibironke Dada, who also spoke at the event, stated that the training was specifically organised to improve competencies and relevance of staff, build a robust relationship between them and clients as well as maintaining a high level of professionalism in discharging their duties.

She stated further that the training will also help to improve the capacity of the HEFAMAA Monitors in relating with clients so as to enhance a good customer relationship, reorganise the standards of health facilities in the State, and make sure that they understand what conforms to standards.

One of the participants, Dr. Oloderin Olorunfemi, expressed his satisfaction and appreciation to HEFAMAA and Pharm Access for the training, noting that it will go a long way in entrenching the core values, vision and mission of HEFAMAA.