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The Lagos State Government, through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency(HEFAMAA), has shut down 20 health facilities in the state for non-compliance with regulatory standards.
The Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday after a monitoring and inspection exercise carried out by the agency.
She said the state government remains committed to putting a stop to the trend of having unqualified personnel work in health facilities, saying the agency would continue to insist that the environment for the dispensation of medical care is suitable and hygienic for the promotion and maintenance of good health.
Idowu assured the general public that the state government would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of quackery and illegal facilities, stressing that part of the strategies employed by the agency include consistent surveillance and monitoring of health facilities, interaction with members of the public as well as placement of adequate sanctions on those who failed to adhere to standards.
The HEFAMAA boss urged members of the public to continue to cooperate and support the government in the fight against quackery and illegal operation of facilities by reporting those behind such acts to relevant government agencies in order to safeguard the health and well-being of the citizenry.
She further disclosed that the agency has witnessed improved service delivery since the introduction of e-hefama, a technology-based platform to ease registration of facilities as well as to conduct other functions and responsibilities within the agency.
While explaining that e-hefama offers a robust complaint mechanism whereby members of the public could channel their grievances directly to the agency for prompt actions and solutions, she assured that the agency will continue to leverage on the platform with a view to improving on its mandate and broadening public access to its various services.
“I have no doubt that the introduction of the e-platform will make the operations of HEFAMAA less cumbersome and also avail health facilities and members of the public the opportunity to interface with the agency seamlessly,” Idowu said.
She advised owners and operators of health facilities in the state to ensure they complete their registration with the agency, collect the agency’s logo and display them at conspicuous positions within their facilities.
Idowu also advised members of the public to be cautious and desist from patronising uncertified health care providers, adding that they should report such facilities as well as any suspicious activity to the agency rather than patronising them.