Lagos State government has sought the collaboration of stakeholders including residents in its anti-quackery efforts aimed at checking illegal operators and unqualified persons in the health sector, imploring health practitioners to adherence to ethical and professional standards.

The Permanent Secretary, the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Abiola Idowu, made the appeal during a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting at Eti-Osa Local Council held in collaboration with The World Bank and the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project.

Idowu, represented by Deputy Director, Health Education, Mrs. Oladunni Oyenike, explained that the sensitisation campaign was part of the agency’s continuous effort to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders and promote adherence to ethical and professional standards in both public and private health facilities.

Idowu stated that “HEFAMAA was established in 2006 under the Health Sector Reform Law, with a mandate to monitor, regulate, and accredit health facilities across Lagos State, ensuring that residents have access to safe, effective, and quality healthcare services.”

She added that the agency remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that all health facilities operate within approved guidelines, are staffed with qualified personnel, and equipped with appropriate medical tools and technologies.

Idowu further emphasized that the town hall engagement served as an avenue to address misconceptions about HEFAMAA’s regulatory activities, listen to stakeholders’ concerns, and jointly develop strategies to improve service delivery.

Also speaking, Mr. Richard Olusanya, Chief Nutrition Officer, HEFAMAA, highlighted the importance of registering all health facilities operating in Eti-Osa and across Lagos State.

He added that the agency has introduced the allocation of Quick Response (QR) Codes to all registered health facilities in the state. These codes, he explained, can be scanned by members of the public to verify the authenticity and accreditation status of any healthcare center in Lagos.

In his remarks, the SMC Chairman, Dr. Job Lawson, called for stronger collaboration between HEFAMAA and religious organizations within Eti-Osa to help combat quackery in the health sector. He emphasized that unqualified individuals operating under the guise of spiritual healing have caused avoidable harm in some religious settings, and urged faith-based leaders to refer ailing individuals to duly registered and accredited healthcare facilities.

The town hall session also featured interactive discussions, during which participants were educated on HEFAMAA’s inspection processes, facility registration procedures, accreditation guidelines, and the Agency’s zero-tolerance stance on quackery and unlicensed medical practice.