PharmAccess, IFC Support Lagos to Strengthen HEFAMAA

PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have called for effective reposition and action plan to address staffing and infrastructural challenges facing the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA).

They said there should be outsourcing of operational functions of HEFAMAA to private entities, adoption of SafeCare as the quality improvement methodology for emplacement of providers on the scheme, and amendment of the 2006 Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law establishing HEFAMAA, as well as its guidelines and handbook.

Speaking at the two day workshop, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr Olufemi Onanuga, who was also the key note speaker, charged all participants to articulate recommendations on strengthening HEFAMAA’s capacity and pledged his unflinching support for the agency’s activities.

He said HEFAMAA was established in March 2006 by Health Sector Reform Law (HSRL) 2006, and its mandate was to regulate and improve the quality of healthcare delivery in Lagos. “HEFAMAA is responsible for setting minimum standards for operations of public and private health facilities in Lagos, accredit, inspect and license all health facilities according to the schedules of HSRL 2006 as well as ensure the authenticity of the credentials of health personnel working in Lagos,” he said.

The Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, Ms. Njide Ndili stated that ‘’the workshop is a very important step to properly align the agency and all the relevant stakeholders, and support its objectives to regulate the healthcare sector in Lagos State ahead of the flag off of the mandatory health insurance scheme. We are delighted that we can support this process,” she added.

The workshop was designed to address gaps, challenges and proffer recommendations to the state government on reposting HEFAMAA to fulfill its mandate as the regulatory agency for the health sector by registering and licensing health establishments, setting standards for quality assurance, applying penalties and sanctions as well as its emerging role of accrediting health facilities for the upcoming health insurance scheme.