The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HEFRA) has warned health facilities in the Upper East Region to comply with licensing and operational requirements or risk closure as the agency prepares to intensify enforcement activities.
Professor Vida Nyagre Yakong, Deputy Registrar in charge of Operations at HEFRA, said facilities operating without registration, failing to renew licenses or offering services beyond their approved scope could face sanctions, including closure.
Speaking on Dreams FM’s News Digest programme, Prof. Yakong said HEFRA recently shut down non-compliant facilities in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Northern regions and plans to extend similar exercises to the Upper East Region.
“We are on our way to the Upper East Region,” she said. “Health facilities must do the right thing and ensure compliance with the law.”
HEFRA, established under Act 829 of 2011, regulates both public and private health facilities across Ghana. The agency assesses facilities before licensing them and conducts periodic monitoring to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
According to Prof. Yakong, some facilities operate without registration, while others fail to renew licenses or introduce new services without regulatory approval.
She explained that facilities may receive either a temporary six-month license or a three-year license depending on compliance levels.
The agency has also opened a regional office at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council to improve monitoring and public access to regulatory services.
Prof. Yakong encouraged residents to report concerns about healthcare services, including negligence and poor treatment.
“When people are not satisfied with services received, they can petition HEFRA and we will investigate,” she said.
She noted that investigations often involve facility owners, healthcare workers and complainants before decisions are taken.
HEFRA works closely with the Ghana Police Service when enforcement actions, including closures, become necessary.
