Lagos State is moving to establish a new regulatory agency focused on monitoring private healthcare facilities. Authorities say this decision is needed to improve patient safety. It is also needed to strengthen oversight across the state’s rapidly expanding health sector.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, announced the development at a Gala and Awards Night. The event was organized by the Lagos chapter of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP). He said the state has received several reports of poor medical handling in some private clinics, raising concerns about the quality of care available to millions of Lagos residents.
“We have received complaints where the health of many people was badly managed, and we do not want that to continue,” Obasa said. According to him, the proposed agency will be dedicated to ensuring that private hospitals operate at acceptable standards and uphold professional medical practices.
New Body to Support HEFAMAA
Lagos currently depends on the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to regulate both public and private institutions. However, Obasa noted that HEFAMAA lacks the manpower and capacity required. It is not enough to fully monitor the growing number of private health providers in the state.
He clarified that the new agency will not replace HEFAMAA. Instead, it will serve as an additional regulatory framework. This is to close existing gaps and improve the effectiveness of healthcare monitoring.
The Speaker urged the ANPMP to work closely with lawmakers in drafting the legislation. This will guide the agency’s operations. He stressed that such collaboration would help ensure that new policies protect patients. It will also support the realities of private healthcare business in Lagos.
Practitioners Welcome the Move
The chairman of the Lagos ANPMP, Dr. Jonathan Esegine, praised the initiative, describing it as a step toward improved accountability and better service delivery within the state’s private health sector. He assured the government of the association’s readiness to collaborate on strengthening standards and professionalism.
The event also featured awards recognising individuals and organisations contributing to quality healthcare in Lagos. Organizers said the annual celebration aims to encourage excellence, collaboration, and continued investment in the state’s growing healthcare ecosystem.
