The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on unlicensed hospitals and unqualified healthcare providers, urging residents to patronise only accredited medical facilities and assist authorities by reporting illegal operators.
The renewed campaign was announced by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) during a public sensitisation programme held in Badagry.
The initiative forms part of the state’s broader effort to improve healthcare standards, strengthen regulation, and protect patients from the dangers posed by unregistered clinics and fake medical practitioners.
Speaking through the Director of Monitoring and Inspection, Olayinka Daniel, the Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, Victoria Egunjobi, stressed the importance of community participation in tackling the growing challenge of medical quackery.
She explained that residents should only seek treatment at healthcare facilities displaying the official HEFAMAA accreditation logo, which serves as proof that a hospital or clinic has been inspected, approved, and licensed by the Lagos State Government.
According to Egunjobi, the agency’s responsibilities include the monitoring, inspection, accreditation, and licensing of healthcare facilities throughout Lagos State to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
“The essence of this programme is to enlighten residents of Badagry on the responsibilities of HEFAMAA, which include 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,” she said.
The campaign comes amid increasing concerns over the activities of unlicensed hospitals, fake clinics, and unqualified practitioners who continue to endanger the lives of unsuspecting patients.
Health authorities warn that many residents remain vulnerable to these operators, particularly in underserved communities.
Egunjobi described medical quackery as a serious threat to public safety, noting that preventable deaths and complications often arise from treatment administered by unqualified individuals.
“One life lost due to quackery is one too many,” she stated, while calling for stronger collaboration between government agencies and local communities.
She further appealed to traditional rulers, market leaders, artisans, religious organisations, youth groups, and healthcare professionals to support efforts aimed at eliminating illegal medical practices from the state.
According to her, government agencies cannot win the battle against unlicensed hospitals alone without the active involvement of residents.
“Ensure that you patronise only health facilities displaying the HEFAMAA logo. If you notice any 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 awareness campaign, HEFAMAA officials visited several strategic locations across Badagry and Ojo, including healthcare centres, government offices, markets, transport hubs, educational institutions, and traditional palaces.
The outreach was designed to educate residents on how to identify accredited facilities and avoid falling victim to fraudulent healthcare providers.
Informational materials highlighting the dangers of patronising illegal clinics were also distributed during the exercise.
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HEFAMAA remains the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing both public and private healthcare facilities in Lagos State.
Officials say the latest enforcement drive reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that residents have access to safe, quality, and professionally regulated healthcare services.
With concerns over patient safety continuing to grow, authorities are encouraging Lagosians to remain vigilant and verify the accreditation status of any healthcare facility before seeking medical treatment.
