Lagos Government Takes Strong Stand Against Quack Doctors and Unlicensed Clinics

Table of Contents

• Public Health Campaign Against Medical Quackery
• Sensitisation and Town Hall Meeting
• HEFAMAA's Commitment to Public Health
• Identifying Accredited Health Facilities
• Reporting Illegal Practices
• Community Partnership

The Lagos State Government has ramped up its public health initiative to combat the increasing threat of medical quackery, urging residents to avoid unlicensed clinics and unqualified practitioners.

During a sensitisation and town hall meeting held in Mushin, the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) urged citizens to take action by identifying and reporting fraudulent medical establishments that jeopardize lives throughout the state.

The event, titled “The Roles and Responsibilities of HEFAMAA in Lagos State,” emphasized the agency’s continuous efforts to enhance regulatory oversight and promote safe, high-quality healthcare delivery.

At the event, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by Dr. Olonire Olufemi, Head of Research and Statistics, reiterated the state’s dedication to protecting public health.

“At HEFAMAA, our primary objective is to improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services in Lagos. We are not an enforcement arm of the police nor adversaries to medical practitioners. Our message is clear: comply with the fundamental requirements and ensure your facilities are properly registered,” Dr. Idowu stated.

Residents were informed about how to identify accredited health facilities, which must prominently display the HEFAMAA logo, registration certificate, and a unique QR code. This QR code allows patients to verify a facility’s authenticity and provide immediate feedback to the agency.

Dr. Idowu encouraged Lagos residents to report any clinic, whether public or private, operating without proper registration, employing unqualified personnel, or failing to uphold acceptable hygiene standards.

“We are particularly concerned about the illegal training of auxiliary nurses, the use of unapproved medical equipment, and facilities that pose a risk to public safety,” she added.

The Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Tunbosun Haruna Aruwe, praised HEFAMAA for bringing the campaign to the community level.

“This initiative is both timely and impactful. It empowers residents to identify legitimate health facilities. We will continue to collaborate with community leaders to disseminate the message throughout all wards,” he stated.