HeFRA shuts down 17 health facilities over safety breaches

The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has shut down 17 health facilities across Ghana for operating without valid licences or under unsafe conditions that pose risks to public health.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com on October 9, 2025, the nationwide enforcement exercise forms part of HeFRA’s ongoing inspection campaign to identify and sanction facilities operating without proper authorisation or documentation.

Chief Executive Officer of HeFRA, Dr Winfred Baah, said the decision was taken to safeguard patients and ensure that only qualified and licensed facilities deliver healthcare services.

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“Some of these facilities have been particularly defiant. They’ve ignored administrative fines and failed to renew their licences. Once a facility becomes unlicensed, we cannot vouch for the competence of its staff or the safety of the equipment being used,” Dr Baah stated.

He warned that operating outside the regulatory framework endangers lives, leaving the agency with no option but to close down non-compliant institutions.

“When that happens, we must step in to protect the public. HeFRA is currently restructuring to strengthen our ability to regulate health facilities effectively,” he indicated.

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Dr Baah reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to upholding healthcare quality and safety standards and urged all health facility operators to comply with licensing and operational requirements to avoid closure or legal sanctions.

MRA/VPO

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