HEFAMAA Takes Healthcare Safety Campaign to Agege, Warns Residents Against Illegal Clinics

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Lagos, Nigeria – In a concerted effort to strengthen public health and protect residents from unsafe medical practices, the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has intensified its community outreach, taking a healthcare safety campaign to the densely populated Agege area. Officials used the event to caution locals against patronising unregistered and illegal clinics, underscoring the grave risks such facilities pose to patient safety and community health. 

At a town hall meeting held on Thursday in Agege, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by Deputy Director of Health Education Mrs. Oladunni Omonike, outlined the aims of the campaign as part of a broader Lagos State initiative to ensure that healthcare delivery across all communities conforms with established safety and quality standards. She explained that only facilities duly registered and accredited by HEFAMAA are legally permitted to operate, and that these have undergone rigorous evaluation to confirm they have trained personnel, appropriate equipment and adherence to hygiene protocols. 

“Healthcare is a fundamental right, but it must be safe and delivered by professionals,” Idowu said, urging residents to always verify the registration status of any clinic before seeking services. She noted that unregistered facilities are often run by individuals without formal medical training and lack basic infrastructure, which can lead to misdiagnoses, infections, complications during treatment and even loss of life. 

Agege marks the 15th of Lagos State’s 20 local government areas where HEFAMAA has carried out such sensitisation exercises this year. According to Idowu, previous engagements have yielded encouraging responses, with communities increasingly equipped to make informed decisions about where and how they seek medical care. Residents were advised not to seek medical care indiscriminately and to confirm that any health centre displays both HEFAMAA certification and a clear indication of its legal operational status. 

Speakers at the event emphasised that legitimate accredited facilities are required to meet minimum standards for staffing, equipment, sanitation and patient care, and undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance. Mrs. Odude, Assistant Director of Nursing Services at HEFAMAA, stressed that inspections also cover the condition and functionality of medical tools—such as blood pressure monitors and diagnostic equipment—and environmental hygiene, which can significantly influence health outcomes if neglected. 

Community leaders at the gathering echoed the agency’s warning, with many reiterating that illegal clinics often operate from residential buildings or makeshift structures, offering services beyond their limited capabilities. Such outfits frequently close suddenly when complications arise, leaving patients without recourse. This unpredictability, community representatives said, amplifies the vulnerability of residents who may unknowingly put their health at risk. 

The Ologba of Ogba Kingdom, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi Oladimeji, who attended the Agege campaign, urged both healthcare providers and local residents to embrace the campaign’s message not just as regulatory enforcement, but as a partnership to elevate the standard of healthcare delivery. He called for sustained collaboration between government agencies and community stakeholders to drive out unsafe practices and promote accessible, quality care for all. 

HEFAMAA’s campaign aligns with wider efforts across Lagos State to clamp down on illegal clinics and quack practitioners. Recent actions by the agency have included the closure of multiple health facilities that failed to meet statutory requirements or lacked proper registration, as well as calls for the public to actively report suspicious operations. Residents have been encouraged to contact HEFAMAA whenever they encounter clinics operating without visible certification or staffed by unlicensed personnel. 

Experts in public health say these measures are critical in addressing longstanding gaps in healthcare oversight, particularly in urban and peri-urban communities where the proliferation of substandard clinics has been a persistent challenge. Such facilities often attract patients seeking low-cost care or quick services, but without regulatory oversight, they may provide subpar treatments and contribute to preventable illnesses or medical emergencies. 

Healthcare professionals and regulators also stress the importance of community awareness and involvement. By equipping residents with the knowledge to distinguish between accredited and unregistered facilities, authorities hope to reduce the incidence of medical malpractice and ensure that individuals receive care from qualified practitioners. Tools such as public advisories, educational materials and, in some parts of the state, QR codes linked to official accreditation records have been introduced to make verification more accessible to the public. 

Public feedback, according to HEFAMAA officials, plays a crucial role in monitoring the quality of healthcare services. When communities report both commendable practices and violations, enforcement actions can be more timely and effective. This two-way communication aims to foster a culture of accountability that benefits patients and legitimate healthcare providers alike. 

Despite the progress made, challenges remain. Many residents still lack full awareness of how to identify illegal clinics and may not understand the implications of seeking care from unregulated sources. In response, HEFAMAA plans to deepen its outreach, not only in the remaining local government areas of Lagos State but also through partnerships with community groups, professional associations and traditional leaders. These collaborations are intended to amplify the reach of educational campaigns and strengthen grassroots engagement in healthcare safety. 

Ultimately, the success of the Agege campaign and similar sensitisation efforts depends on sustained public participation and robust regulatory follow-through. As Lagos State continues its push to standardise healthcare delivery and root out quackery, agencies like HEFAMAA remain at the forefront of ensuring that quality, accredited medical care is both available and trusted by communities across the region. 

📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews