The Executive Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, has called on residents of Lagos State to collaborate with the Agency in eradicating quackery from the healthcare sector.
Dr. Egunjobi, who was represented by the Director of Monitoring and Inspection, Dr. Olayinka Daniel, made the appeal during a one-day Awareness Campaign and Sensitisation Programme organized by HEFAMAA in Badagry.
The programme was designed to educate residents on the Agency’s responsibilities and the dangers associated with seeking medical care from unqualified healthcare providers.
Speaking during the campaign, Dr. Egunjobi urged residents to patronise only health facilities displaying the HEFAMAA logo, noting that the logo serves as proof that such facilities have been duly accredited and meet the required standards for operation.
“The essence of this programme is to enlighten residents of Badagry on the responsibilities of HEFAMAA, which include the monitoring, inspection, accreditation and licensing of health facilities. This is aimed at ensuring that only qualified healthcare providers, in line with the provisions of Section 63 of the Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law, are allowed to operate in the state. One life lost due to quackery is one too many,” she said.
She emphasized that the fight against quackery requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, traders, artisans, religious leaders, youths, medical practitioners and community leaders.
“This is not a task that the Agency can accomplish alone. We are calling on our traditional rulers, market women and men, artisans, religious leaders, youths, medical practitioners and other relevant stakeholders to join hands with us in eradicating quackery from Lagos State. Ensure that you patronise only health facilities displaying the HEFAMAA logo. Also, if you notice any health facility operating without the logo, do not hesitate to report it. See something, say something, so that together we can win the battle against quackery,” she added.
As part of the sensitisation exercise,
HEFAMAA officials visited several strategic locations across Badagry, including the Primary Health Centre, Ijanikin; Badagry Local Government Secretariat; Primary Health Centre, Ajara; the palace of the traditional ruler of Badagry; Badagry International Market; and the Badagry Roundabout/Motor Park.
At the various locations, officials educated residents on how to identify government-approved health facilities and distributed informational flyers highlighting the Agency’s functions and the importance of patronising only accredited healthcare providers.
The campaign forms part of HEFAMAA’s ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and ensure that residents have access to safe, quality and regulated healthcare services across Lagos State.
