NEWS :HEFAMAA URGES HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, PARENTS TO PRIORITISE CHILDREN’S SAFETY

‎The Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency has urged healthcare providers and parents to prioritise the safety of children and protect them from harm.
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‎The Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, made the call on Wednesday at a symposium organised by the agency to commemorate the 2025 World Patient Safety Day in the state.
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‎The theme for this year’s World Patient Safety Day, observed annually on September 17 globally, is “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child,” with its slogan, “Patient Safety from the Start.”
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‎Idowu said patient safety remains an essential component of healthcare that should be given immediate attention.
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‎She explained that there was an urgent need to raise awareness and understanding of safe practices such as hand hygiene, healthy environment, immunisation, and exclusive breastfeeding, among others, that make children less vulnerable to harm.
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‎“The theme resonates deeply because it speaks to our most fundamental responsibility: protecting the most vulnerable among us from harm—right from the very start of their lives.
‎“Every year, millions of newborns and children face preventable harm due to unsafe practices, gaps in healthcare systems, or a lack of resources. The statistics are heartbreaking, but they also drive us to do better”, she said.
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‎The PS pointed out that the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Health and agencies like HEFAMAA, remained steadfast in promoting safe, accessible, and quality healthcare services across all facilities.
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‎Idowu stated,“ Today, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that every child, no matter where they are born, no matter their background, has access to quality, safe care from the very beginning.
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‎“The truth is, patient safety isn’t just a healthcare issue—it’s a moral imperative. Every child we protect today is a future we secure tomorrow. The impact of safe care goes beyond the individual child—it reverberates throughout families, communities, and entire nations. Safe care for children is an investment in a healthier, more prosperous world.”
‎In her remarks, the Chairman of HEFAMAA, Dr Yemisi Solanke-Koya, said, “Patient Safety from the Start”, reminding us that the journey to a healthier Lagos begins with protecting our most vulnerable – our newborns and children.
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‎“Our focus is to ensure that no child, no mother, and no family suffers avoidable harm due to unsafe care”, she said.
‎Solanke-Koya said the event provided the agency with the opportunity to bring together policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to reflect, share knowledge, and commit to safer practices.
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‎On her part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance safe care and child protection.
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‎“We heard clearly that safe beginnings are not negotiable. From policy reforms to everyday clinical practice, we must work together to strengthen systems, ensure accountability, and give every child in Lagos State a fighting chance.
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