HEFAMAA deepens public engagement to strengthen confidence in Lagos healthcare system

The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has stepped up its public sensitisation efforts to build stronger confidence in Lagos State’s healthcare system. By engaging directly with communities, the agency is educating residents on how to identify and patronise only accredited health facilities, thereby promoting safety, accountability, and trust across the state’s health sector.

Speaking at a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting held at Apapa Local Government Area on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr Abiola Idowu, represented by Dr Daniel Olayinka, the Director of Monitoring and Inspection, said the initiative was part of the agency’s commitment to bridging the communication gap between regulators and the public — the ultimate beneficiaries of quality healthcare regulation. Dr Idowu explained that while HEFAMAA had maintained strong engagement with healthcare providers over the years, it had observed a worrying gap in public awareness about its mandate and functions. The agency, she said, realised that many residents still did not know how to distinguish registered health facilities from unlicensed or illegal ones — a situation that could expose them to substandard or unsafe care.

“We brought members of the community together to explain the roles and responsibilities of the agency, especially our mandate to protect the health and safety of Lagosians. Before we register any health facility, we ensure it meets the minimum operational standards required to provide safe and effective services. This includes proper infrastructure, qualified personnel, and adherence to ethical practices,” she said.

Dr Idowu emphasised that HEFAMAA’s renewed focus on public sensitisation was driven by the recognition that regulation alone is not enough — residents must also be informed and empowered to make the right health choices. She explained that all registered health facilities in Lagos State are issued a HEFAMAA identification logo, which must be displayed prominently within their premises, alongside a valid registration certificate from the agency. This, she said, serves as visible proof that a facility has been inspected, approved, and is operating within the state’s legal and professional framework.

“Whenever you want to access healthcare, look out for the HEFAMAA logo and registration certificate. Once you see these two items, you can be confident that the facility has met our minimum standards for safety and quality. Visiting unregistered centres puts your health and life at serious risk,” she advised.

As part of efforts to enhance transparency, Idowu announced that Quick Response (QR) codes) are now being affixed to accredited facilities. With this innovation, patients can instantly verify a hospital’s registration status, confirm the services it is authorised to provide, and even send direct feedback to the agency on their healthcare experience. “We act immediately on public feedback. Our goal is not to punish but to ensure that every facility provides safe, ethical, and high-quality care to Lagos residents,” she said.

She added that HEFAMAA maintains a responsive monitoring and enforcement system that acts swiftly when complaints or red flags are raised by the public. According to her, the agency’s approach prioritises collaboration and improvement over punishment. “Our aim is corrective, not punitive. We only sanction facilities when necessary, but once they meet our standards, they are reinstated,” she explained.

Citing examples of the agency’s work, Dr Idowu revealed that HEFAMAA had in the past taken disciplinary actions against several facilities that failed to comply with operational standards. One notable case, she said, involved the Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre in Lekki, which was demoted from a specialist hospital to a general hospital after failing to meet environmental and structural requirements. The hospital was later reinstated after relocating to a compliant location and fulfilling all prescribed conditions. “This shows that HEFAMAA is not vindictive. Once facilities demonstrate compliance in environment, personnel and equipment, they are fully restored,” she noted.

The town hall meeting attracted a wide cross-section of stakeholders — including community leaders, health professionals, traditional rulers, and residents — who commended HEFAMAA for bringing its activities closer to the people. Participants described the forum as timely and impactful, especially in a state where private and informal health facilities play a major role in service delivery. Many residents said the interaction helped them understand the importance of checking a facility’s accreditation status before seeking care.

Dr Idowu reaffirmed that HEFAMAA would continue to organise similar engagements across all 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State as part of its statewide sensitisation campaign. “Our mission is to ensure that Lagosians have access to safe, affordable, and quality healthcare services. We are taking this message to every community because health regulation is only effective when the people are aware and involved,” she said.

Participants at the forum emphasised that HEFAMAA’s community outreach initiatives demonstrate that effective health regulation is more than inspection—it thrives on active engagement with the very communities it serves. By equipping residents with knowledge on how to identify accredited health providers, the agency fosters accountability, shared responsibility, and informed decision-making among government institutions, health practitioners, and the public. Stakeholders highlighted that as Lagos rapidly expands and modernis    es its health infrastructure, such grassroots interventions are critical to safeguarding safety and upholding ethical standards. Beyond regulation, HEFAMAA’s approach cultivates trust between the public and health systems, ensuring that residents are not passive recipients but active participants in maintaining quality healthcare. By linking education, monitoring, and community engagement, the agency is creating a model where regulatory oversight and citizen awareness work hand in hand—a strategy experts say is essential for a resilient, equitable, and ethically grounded healthcare ecosystem in Lagos.