HEFAMAA Extends Deadline For Annual Certificate Renewal, Asks Health Facilities To Explore  E-Portal.

The Executive Secretary, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, has announced an extension of the deadline for renewal of certificates by health facilities till the end of April 2021.

She disclosed that the Agency at its Board meeting recently decided to extend the date from 31st March 2021 to 30th April 2021 to allow facilities that are yet to renew their licenses to do so.

Idowu explained that all existing healthcare facilities are required by law to renew their registration annually, adding that it is mandatory for new facilities to register with the Agency before commencing operations to safeguard the health of the citizenry.

The Executive Secretary said, “Existing facilities in the State are required by law to renew their certificate between 1st January – 31st March every year, but we decided to shift the deadline to 30th April 2021 to allow those facilities that are yet to complete their registration to do so”.

“Therefore, any facility that fails to complete its registration within this period will be operating illegally and shall be sanctioned accordingly”, she warned.

She tasked owners of facilities in the State to take advantage of the HEFAMAA e-portal to complete their registration and renewal, while also keeping abreast of the programmes and activities of the Agency.

Disclosing that the e-portal has eased its operations, Idowu noted that it also gives facility owners and the general public the opportunity to interface with the Agency without physical contact.

She revealed that many facilities registered and also renewed their licenses through the e-portal during the COVID-19 lockdown, saying it helped check the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Idowu, however, advised owners and operators of health facilities in the State to ensure they complete their registration with HEFAMAA, collect the Agency’s logo and display them at a conspicuous position in their facilities, where visible to members of the public, warning the public against patronising unaccredited health facilities without a logo of the Agency or proof of registration.