Lagos Government to Establish New Regulatory Agency for Private Healthcare Facilities
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to establish a new regulatory agency dedicated to monitoring private healthcare facilities across the state, in a move officials say will strengthen patient safety and close gaps within the current oversight system.
The initiative, revealed on Monday by senior health officials, is part of a broader effort to reform Lagos’s healthcare sector amid rising concerns over substandard practices, unlicensed clinics, and inconsistent quality of service in some privately owned hospitals and diagnostic centres.
According to the officials, the proposed agency will take over and expand responsibilities currently managed by existing bodies, with a mandate to enforce minimum operational standards, ensure accountability, and respond swiftly to reported violations within private medical establishments.
They explained that the new body will be empowered to conduct routine and unscheduled inspections, verify qualifications of medical personnel, sanction erring facilities, and collaborate with security agencies where necessary. It will also maintain a digital registry of accredited hospitals and clinics to help residents identify legitimate providers.
The government says the decision follows months of assessment, during which gaps were identified in the enforcement of regulations guiding private health practices. Officials noted that while Lagos has one of Nigeria’s most vibrant healthcare landscapes, its rapid growth has created oversight challenges that require a dedicated regulatory structure.
“This step is necessary to protect citizens and ensure that every private health facility in Lagos meets acceptable standards of care,” one senior official said, adding that the agency will help reduce medical malpractice and promote public trust.
The proposal is expected to be forwarded to the Lagos State House of Assembly in the coming weeks for legislative consideration. If approved, the agency will begin operations after the release of its regulatory framework and guidelines.
Residents and health stakeholders are already reacting to the announcement, with many expressing optimism that the new body could help eliminate quackery and raise the quality of healthcare services across the state.
