Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
In its continuous drive to safeguard public health and promote access to quality medical services, the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has launched an intensive community enlightenment campaign across the Oshodi/Isolo area of Lagos State, educating residents on the importance of verifying hospital registration before seeking treatment.
The sensitisation exercise, which featured an interactive town hall meeting with residents, community leaders, and healthcare providers, is part of the agency’s wider campaign across Lagos to ensure only accredited medical facilities operate within the state.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, the agency’s Deputy Director of Health Education, Mrs. Omonike Oladunmi, emphasised that HEFAMAA’s core mandate is to build public trust in healthcare delivery through regular monitoring and accreditation of hospitals and clinics.
She explained that the campaign aims to enlighten Lagosians about the risks of patronising unregistered health facilities while encouraging them to identify accredited centres by their HEFAMAA logo, certificate, and QR code displayed prominently.
“We want every resident to understand that a HEFAMAA-approved facility has been thoroughly inspected and meets operational standards,” Oladunmi stated. “Our officers assess equipment, staff qualifications, and the hospital environment before granting accreditation.”
Highlighting the agency’s latest innovation, Oladunmi announced the introduction of a digital QR code verification system, allowing residents to instantly confirm a hospital’s registration status by scanning the code with a smartphone.
“With this system, anyone can verify the legitimacy of a hospital, see the name of the doctor in charge, and confirm the services approved for the facility,” she explained. “Patients can also provide feedback or file complaints anonymously, helping us take quick corrective actions.”
Also speaking, the Head of Nursing Unit at HEFAMAA, Mrs. Titilope Oluwole, urged Lagosians to take collective responsibility in combating medical quackery.
“Quality healthcare is both a right and a shared responsibility,” she said. “By refusing to patronise illegal operators, residents help the government strengthen the state’s health system.”
A community representative, Mr. Rahmon Semiudeen, commended the initiative, calling it a “life-saving intervention” that empowers residents to make informed healthcare choices. He, however, appealed for more medical personnel in public hospitals within the Oshodi/Isolo axis to meet rising population demands.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only licensed and qualified health facilities operate in Lagos, pledging to sustain its advocacy and monitoring across all communities in the state.
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