AS part of its commitment to ensure standard medical care and end quackery across Lagos, the State Government through its Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), has sealed no fewer than 42 illegal health facilities.
The Executive Secretary, HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Ikeja while reviewing the activities of the Agency in the nine-month period,
She explained that the facilities were discovered during the Agency’s routine monitoring exercise and were sealed for non-compliance with the regulatory standards.
Idowu added that other infractions committed by the sealed facilities include non-registration of the facilities, lack of qualified medical personnel and the illegal training of auxiliary nurses.
She stated that the 42 facilities were found to be operating illegally out of about 1040 visited between January to September this year, and they were sealed for contravening the state laws on healthcare facility standards.
The HEFAMAA Executive Secretary further disclosed that in the period under review, 170 facilities across the State were inspected for registration while 157 closure notices were issued.
Idowu explained that the key areas the Agency focus on during monitoring and inspection exercises of health facilities are: the qualification of personnel, operation processes of the facility, the environment, as well as the standard of equipment.
Speaking further on HEFAMAA’s monitoring activities, the Executive Secretary said that the aim is to improve the standard of health facilities in the State, which are monitored at least twice a year as the law stipulates.
“The Agency is empowered by the Health Sector Reform (HSR) Law 2006 to franchise some of its activities. Section 49 (5) of the law granted the Agency the power to select franchise companies to monitor and ensure compliance with the law by health facilities in the State,” she said.
Idowu advised owners and operators of health facilities to get acquainted with the law and carry out their operations in accordance with it to safeguard the health of the people.
While emphasizing the commitment of the State Government to sustaining the fight against quackery and unprofessional conduct in the system, she urged intending operators to ensure proper registration with the Agency through its website before commencing operations, adding that existing registered operators should ensure prompt renewal of their certificates to avoid being sanctioned.
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