MOH Shuts Down 9 Private Health Facilities in Riyadh
The Ministry of Heath shut down nine private health facilities in Riyadh yesterday. The five medical complexes, two polyclinics and two optical clinics were found to be in violation of ministry regulations.
Operations at the facilities will be suspended until they meet ministry standards.
Health Minister, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, ordered the move as part of a crackdown on health facilities that fail to meet ministry standards.
A ministry spokesperson said the suspension orders were served on facilities for violation of medical permits and failure to renew medical licenses.
He said the action clearly shows the ministry's concern for the safety of citizens and residents. He warned negligence on the part of health providers will not be tolerated and action will be taken by the ministry against those in violation.
Ministry inspectors had visited health facilities around the capital and orders to shut down were issued based on their findings. The spokesperson said the closures are temporary and dependent on follow up by the medical facilities in question.
On Sunday, the health minister ordered a hospital closed following the death of the eight-year-old son of Sheikh Yusuf Jameel, due to a fatal medical error during surgery. The recommendation was supported by a medical committee of intensive care consultants, surgeons and anesthetists, who studied the case after a complaint by his distraught parents.
In the last year, the Ministry of Health has closed 30 medical facilities, 15 polyclinics, 29 pharmacies, 27 optical clinics and five physiotherapy centers in violation of ministry regulations. During the same period, the ministry fined violators SR 3.75 million, including SR 1.98 million from pharmacies.
MD Rasooldeen - Arab News
