Lagos State plans to establish a new regulatory agency to oversee private healthcare facilities, officials announced, aiming to improve patient safety and strengthen oversight in the sector.
The announcement was made by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, during a Gala and Awards event hosted by the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners on Saturday.
Obasa explained that the move responds to growing concerns over substandard care in some private hospitals, which serve a large portion of the state’s over 20 million residents.
“We have received complaints where the health of many people was badly managed. But we don’t want that to continue,” Obasa said.
The new agency will focus on ensuring that private healthcare facilities meet acceptable quality standards, addressing issues such as poor medical handling and insufficient professionalism.
Obasa urged the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners to collaborate with lawmakers in drafting legislation that balances patient protection with the operational realities of private medical practice.
He also assured practitioners that the Assembly remains committed to creating laws that support a business-friendly environment while enforcing accountability and high standards in the healthcare sector.
