Lagos State Govt Warns Hospitals Not to Deny Essential Drugs to Insured Patients

The Lagos State Government has issued a warning to health facilities, including the General Hospital, Badagry, following complaints that patients enrolled in the state health insurance scheme are being denied access to essential medications.

The caution came from the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) during a Sensitisation Campaign and Town Hall Meeting held at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat. The event aimed to educate residents about the agency’s regulatory mandate and responsibilities.

HEFAMAA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by the Director of Research and Statistics, Dr. Olorunfemi Olonire, confirmed reports indicating that insured patients were frequently told that certain prescribed drugs were unavailable after consultations. She noted that the agency had taken serious note of the complaints and would escalate the issue to the Lagos State Health Management Authority (LASHMA) for immediate intervention.

“When an insured patient visits a hospital and is told at the pharmacy that drugs exceeding 5% or 10% of their prescription are unavailable, it undermines both the insurance scheme and patient safety,” Dr. Idowu said.

To improve oversight and patient feedback, HEFAMAA has introduced a QR code reporting system across public health facilities in the state. Patients denied medications covered under the insurance program can scan the code to lodge complaints instantly. These reports will be reviewed, documented, and forwarded to the relevant authorities for prompt action.

Dr. Idowu also warned against unlicensed individuals, including traditional healers and auxiliary nurses, administering intravenous medications or performing medical procedures in residential settings. She stressed that such practices expose patients to severe complications, which are often unfairly attributed to accredited health facilities.