It was a day of enlightenment and collaboration as the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Health and its Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), held a town hall meeting in Mushin to sensitise stakeholders on how to identify and report unregistered medical facilities operating within the community.

The one-day engagement, held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Mushin Local Government Secretariat Hall, brought together major stakeholders like traditional rulers, community leaders, market leaders, health practitioners and residents, all united by a shared goal: to improve healthcare quality and safety for Mushin residents.

Declaring the meeting open, the Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Olatunbosun Haruna Aruwe, commended HEFAMAA for its consistent monitoring and regulatory efforts across the state. He encouraged residents to take ownership of the health standards within their environment by reporting any health facility offering substandard services or operating without proper registration.

“Health is wealth, and we must all join hands to ensure that only qualified and registered facilities attend to the health needs of our people,” Hon. Aruwe said. 

“I appreciate the Lagos State Government and HEFAMAA for bringing this important sensitisation to our community. This is how true development begins with awareness,” he added. 

Speaking with Mushines News, Hon. Aruwe expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his continuous commitment to grassroots healthcare reforms. He noted that initiatives like this town hall serve as a bridge between government agencies and the people, ensuring that residents understand their rights and responsibilities in accessing safe healthcare.

Representing the agency, Dr Oluwafemi Olanire, Director of Research and Statistics at HEFAMAA, took participants through an enlightening session on how to recognise illegal or unregistered health facilities. He explained that the agency is responsible for monitoring, accrediting, and ensuring quality standards in both public and private health institutions across Lagos State.

“Every accredited facility in Lagos has an official HEFAMAA signboard with a unique QR code.. 

“Once you scan it, you can confirm the facility’s registration status. If you visit any hospital, clinic, or laboratory without this signage or with suspicious credentials, please report immediately. Together, we can stop quack practices and save lives.” Dr Olanire explained. 

The session also featured interactive discussions where participants shared experiences about unregistered or substandard facilities operating within their neighbourhoods. Many residents commended the initiative, pledging to work with the agency to identify and report illegal operators.

The Chairman of Mushin Community Development Committee, Baba Okuyemi described the sensitisation as “an eye-opener,” noting that many residents had been unaware of how to verify registered health centres. “Now we know what to look out for before trusting any clinic. This programme has truly empowered us,” he said.

Alhaji Mrs Taibat Borikinni, the Iyaloja General of Mushin and Odi-olowo Ojuwoye, said the programme was timely. “Some people fall into the hands of quacks because they are not informed. HEFAMAA’s message today will go a long way in saving lives in Mushin,” she noted.

The town hall ended on a high note, with HEFAMAA officials distributing informational materials and contact details for reporting suspicious facilities. 

Stakeholders expressed their readiness to collaborate with the agency to ensure that only accredited and qualified practitioners operate within Mushin.

The sensitisation programme is part of the Lagos State Government’s ongoing effort to strengthen healthcare delivery, protect residents from fake practitioners, and ensure that every Lagosian, regardless of community, has access to safe, standard, and quality medical care.