Several medical facilities shut for safety violations
dubai — The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHP) has closed down several medical and pharmaceutical establishments nationwide for one to four months, for safety violations such as poor drug storage and waste disposal, and usage of non-sterilised equipment.
Violations also included noncompliance with engineering standards and procedures for medical devices’ sterilisation, and lack of proper ventilation. The report also noted the absence of tools to combat infections, and the lack of a system preventing the transmission of viral diseases to patients.
The ministry said that the closed facilities will only be opened following inspections conducted by the Health Governance Department.
Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for public policy and licensing of the Ministry of Health and Prevention and vice-chairman for supreme national drug registration, said the closures were disciplinary rather than punitive, to ensure compliance with regulations at the highest standards.
In coordination with the department of economic development, the ministry ordered the one-month closure of three medical centres, for poor drug storage and non- sterilisation of devices.
The centres have one month to comply with the ministry’s regulations and existing laws before they are allowed to operate again.
Four-month closure for health facility
The department of operations has also closed a one-day surgery hospital for four months. It will evaluate the facility before its re-opening. The erring hospital is required to undergo renovation and the necessary engineering modifications, including on its ventilation system, for six months.
The facility was found violating a provision concerning waste storage. The radiology department was also not up to the ministry’s standards as the ceiling of its sterilisation room was not chemically washable. The department, which failed to implement and comply with the standards, was already informed about its violations within the prescribed six-month notice period.
Three private pharmacies were also ordered to stop their operations for one to two months after they were found guilty of violating health regulations, including the sale of controlled and semi-controlled drugs and antibiotics without prescriptions; poor drug storage; the absence of a responsible pharmacist; and allowing unauthorised personnel to work in these pharmacies.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com