The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has warned hospitals against training and employing auxiliary nurses, citing the harm they pose to patient safety.
Dr. Abiola Idowu, Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, stated that any hospital found engaging in such practices will be shut down. The state government banned the training and practice of auxiliary nurses because they do more harm than good to the state health sector.
The agency revealed that 32 health facilities were shut down between January and June 2025 for various infractions. HEFAMAA has teams that monitor and inspect healthcare facilities across different local councils and development areas in the state to ensure compliance. The agency aims to protect citizens from misdiagnosis and unprofessional care.
Residents are urged to report unlicensed health facilities and quack practitioners to HEFAMAA for enforcement actions. Dr. Idowu emphasized that the state government wants to ensure citizens receive proper medical care and do not fall into the hands of unqualified personnel.
The King of Shasha Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Nasiru, called on HEFAMAA to address the nonchalant attitude of public hospital staff towards patients and ensure proper staffing and equipment in government facilities. He stressed the importance of the agency’s monitoring role to prevent quacks from operating in approved facilities.