Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention issued licences to 45 new private health care facilities, including 42 multidisciplinary medical centres and three clinics, since the beginning of 2017.
Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention’s Public Health Policy and Licensing Sector and vice-chairman of the Medical Licensing Committee, stated the increasing number of health care facilities is also the result of fast-track procedures adopted by the ministry to encourage the private sector to invest as strategic partners.
Meanwhile, the ministry continues regular inspection of health care facilities. At least four health care centres and pharmaceutical facilities were closed in the first quarter of this year due to violations. The ministry inspected 194 private health care centres and 313 pharmaceutical facilities this year.
During the inspections, the ministry’s officials found various violations — including doctors and technicians practising without licences; non-compliance with hygiene and sterilisation standards; non-compliance with standards for the storage of pharmaceutical products; and not meeting the non-medical and technical safety requirements for operating rooms.
Dr Al Amiri said the ministry is keen to implement laws and legislation that will guarantee the provision of the best diagnosis and treatment by certified medical practitioners, as well as, advanced medical facilities equipped with high-quality medicines stored and distributed among individuals.
He emphasised that the ministry would pay closer attention to patients who are treated in private health care facilities in order to promote and protect the health of society at every level.
— The writer is an intern at Gulf News
