Lagos State Bans Training, Employment Of Auxiliary Nurses

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government, through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, has announced that it is illegal and a crime for any Health Facility in the State to train, or employ Auxiliary Nurses.

It has, therefore, stated that any Health Facility engaging in such practice will be shut down and its license revoked.

Dr. Abiola Idowu, HEFAMAA’s Permanent Secretary, made this disclosure on Thursday during a Sensitization Campaign cum Town Hall Meeting in Alimosho Local Government on the roles and responsibilities of HEFAMAA.

Idowu, who was unavoidably absent was represented by Director, Research and Statistics of HEFAMAA, Dr. Olorunfemi Olonire. He stated that the State Government banned the training and practice by Auxiliary Nurses because they do more harm than good to the State Health Sector.

She, however, implored residents to report any illegal and unapproved health facilities and quack medical practitioners to the agency for necessary action.

According to her, the State Government does not want the healthcare process of the citizens to be misdiagnosed or attended to unprofessionally, which is why the agency was set up.

Idowu revealed that 32 health facilities were shut between January and June for various infractions, stating that the agency is committed to ensuring that only approved health facilities operate in the State.

She said the agency has teams that monitor and inspect healthcare facilities spread across different local councils and local council development areas in the state.

Oba Babatunde Nasiru, the King of Shasha Kingdom implored HEFAMAA to work on the nonchalant attitude of the staff of public hospitals toward patients who visit their hospitals.

The Monarch underscored the importance of the agency stepping up its monitoring and oversight functions to ensure that quacks have no place in any facility, as the residents may not be able to easily identify a quack nurse, doctor, or medical personnel in an approved facility.

“If the government does not rein in the nonchalant attitude of staff of public hospitals, many residents will continue to attend hospitals managed by quacks.”