Ayodele Olalere
The Executive Secretary, Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Abiola Idowu, has said the state government has zero-tolerance for quackery as the agency will continue to safeguard the health of Lagosians.
At a sensitization campaign organised by the agency to educate residents of Badagry division on the roles and responsibilities of HEFAMAA, Idowu said that the agency shutdown 18 health facilities in May and June 2021 for non-compliance with regulatory standards.
The ES was represented by a director in the Agency, Dr. Godswill Iboma. According to him, the facilities “were sealed for infractions ranging from quackery to lack of qualified medical personnel and non-registration of facilities.”
He warned quacks in the field who parade themselves as experts to desist from such practices adding that the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has zero-tolerance for quackery and unethical conducts which he said could impact negatively on the health of the citizens.
He stated that the Agency which was established by the Health Sector Reform Law of 2006 has the mandate to set the required minimum standards for the operations of public and private health facilities in the State “as well as accredit, inspect, monitor and license all health facilities.”
He further explained that on matters relating to the registration, inspection and supervision of private and public hospitals in the state, the Agency advises the Health Commissioner adding that it also enforces compliance with the provisions of the law as well as ensuring the authenticity of credentials of facilities personnel.
Iboma urged the residents to continue supporting the government in its fight against quackery and illegal operation of health facilities by reporting people behind such acts to the agency to safeguard the health and well-being of the citizens.
He revealed that the campaign which he said will be taken to other IBILE LGs, aims at sensitizing the public on the need to expose quacks in the system even as he noted that the exercise offered an opportunity to inform owners and operators of health facilities in the state on the need to register their facilities with the Agency to avoid being sanctioned.
In his response, the Aholu of Ajara Agamathen Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Agano Toniyon I commended the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu for his efforts in improving the quality of healthcare delivery in the State adding that he and his chiefs would cooperate with the Agency to expose quacks in the division.
The team also visited the Akran of Badagry as well as Ijanikin healthcare centers, motor parks and markets in the division.
