Lagos State is set to establish a dedicated regulatory body to oversee private healthcare facilities.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, revealed the initiative on Saturday during an event hosted by the Lagos chapter of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners.
Highlighting concerns about the quality of care in certain private hospitals, which serve a substantial portion of the state’s over 20 million residents, Obasa said: “We have received complaints where the health of many people was badly managed. But we don’t want that to continue.”
He noted that the new agency would focus on ensuring private healthcare providers meet acceptable standards, citing recent reports of inadequate medical management and lapses in professional conduct.
Currently, Lagos relies on the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, to regulate both public and private health institutions.
However, Obasa pointed out that HEFAMAA’s staffing and operational capacity are insufficient to effectively oversee the rapidly expanding private healthcare sector.
He emphasized that the new regulatory body would complement, rather than replace, HEFAMAA, targeting critical gaps in supervision.
To shape the agency’s structure and mandate, Obasa called on the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners to collaborate with lawmakers in drafting legislation that balances patient protection with the practical realities of running private medical facilities.
He also assured healthcare entrepreneurs that the Assembly is committed to fostering a business-friendly environment within the sector.
The Lagos chapter of the association welcomed the plan.
Dr Jonathan Esegine, its chairman, praised the Speaker for promoting legislation that encourages accountability and governance in private healthcare.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the government in improving healthcare delivery and ensuring professional standards across private facilities.
