MoH shuts down another clinic

The Ministry of Health closed a private medical center in the capital for alleged malpractice, the ministry announced Saturday. The ministry discovered a series of mistakes carried out by the center in its cosmetic surgery section. As well as being responsible for the death of a woman following cosmetic surgery, the ministry found the medical center’s administration had violated the Kingdom's labor regulations. “Some of the medics and paramedics working in the center are supposed to be working for the public sector,” the statement said. It was also alleged the center had not complied with the Health Ministry regulations to maintain stipulated health standards. The center located in the north of Riyadh, has several affiliates in the city. The ministry also banned all one-day surgeries in all these facilities. According to the Kingdom's labor regulations, it is illegal for members of the public sector to do part time jobs in the private sector. The ministry stressed the decision to close the medical center was taken in the interest of patients. A detailed report of the medical center will be sent to a legal body that deals with such cases for further action. An official from the ministry said the motto of the ministry is to focus on patients first. He said the ministry would take all measures to look after the welfare of patients and enhance the services and health facilities provided for them. The official said the ministry treats members of the private sector as strategic partners in providing the best health care services to people in the Kingdom. “Such measures are adopted as a remedial action to discourage practices that jeopardize the health of people,” he added. Last week the ministry closed a hospital in Dammam for 15 days. The ministry said the decision to close the hospital temporarily stemmed from its keenness to ensure the safety and welfare of Saudis and expatriates. The closure aimed to encourage the hospital to take remedial measures, the ministry said, adding that the decision was based solely on maintaining high health care standards in the Kingdom.