The Lagos State Government has taken a tough stance against the training and employment of auxiliary nurses in the state, warning hospitals that facilities engaging in the practice risk outright closure.
The announcement came as a shock to many residents during a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting in Alimosho Local Council on Thursday.
The Permanent Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Abiola Idowu, made the declaration, stressing that auxiliary nurses have caused more harm than good to the healthcare system.
Represented by the agency’s Director of Research and Statistics, Dr. Olorunfemi Olonire, Idowu noted:
“Only qualified and licensed medical professionals are permitted to practise in Lagos.”
Idowu explained that the decision to outlaw auxiliary nurses in Lagos was informed by the dangers posed to patients by unqualified health workers.
She added that the government is determined to stop cases of misdiagnosis and poor treatment linked to quacks posing as professionals.
She urged Lagosians to report illegal health facilities and suspicious practitioners to HEFAMAA for prompt action.
According to her, the state had already sealed 32 health facilities between January and June this year for various offences.
“Monitoring and inspection teams have been deployed across all councils and development areas,” she said.
While the government is cracking down on quack practices, community leaders have urged officials to focus on improving service in public hospitals.
The King of Shasha Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Nasiru, who also spoke at the event, lamented the poor attitude of staff in state-owned hospitals.
He warned that unless service delivery improves, residents would continue to seek alternative treatments from unqualified practitioners.
“Government must properly equip and staff its hospitals. If not, people will keep patronising quacks,” the monarch said.
He added that HEFAMAA must intensify its oversight not only on private clinics but also on public facilities.
The crackdown on auxiliary nurses in Lagos marks a new phase in the state’s efforts to sanitise the health sector.
