The Registrar of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HEFRA), Dr Winfred Korletey Baah, has warned that unlicensed health facilities risk closure, fines, and possible prosecution, as the agency intensifies nationwide enforcement to improve patient safety and healthcare standards.

Speaking at HEFRA’s annual meeting, Dr Baah said the crackdown forms part of renewed efforts to sanitise the health sector and ensure that all facilities operate within the law. He stressed that compliance is not optional, urging operators to regularise their status or face sanctions.

“Facilities operating without proper licenses will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he cautioned, adding that stronger collaboration between regulators and service providers is key to sustaining improvements in healthcare delivery.

The enforcement drive comes amid ongoing concerns about the proliferation of unregulated health centres across parts of the country, a situation experts say poses significant risks to patients and undermines public confidence in the system.

Director of HEFRA, Dr Agyeman Badu, also underscored the broader goal of regulation, noting that it goes beyond punishment. According to him, effective oversight is essential for building trust and ensuring quality care.

He explained that adherence to standards, proper documentation, and investment in the right equipment are critical steps health facilities must take to meet regulatory requirements.

HEFRA is further urging providers to renew their licences promptly and operate transparently, as part of efforts to strengthen accountability in the sector.

The agency maintains that improving healthcare regulation is a shared responsibility between authorities and providers, especially at a time when Ghana continues to prioritise quality and accessible healthcare for its growing population.