More than 20 healthcare facilities were shut down since November last year, due to violations ranging from use of rusted and unhygienic medical equipment to working without authorisation. At least 22 clinics faced temporary closure at various periods for violating health regulations, according to the Medical Licensing Department at Supreme Council of Health. The council had intensified its inspection of private healthcare facilities in the country. The department had deployed inspectors to check the facilities as part of its efforts to ensure the wellbeing of the people in Qatar and to monitor the health centers. Most of the clinics that faced punitive action by the council have resumed functioning after they corrected their errors, as per reports from the Medical Licensing Department. However, 12 are still closed for failing to fulfill the Council’s requirements. The healthcare facilities, which were shut down, range from solo clinics to full-fledged medical centers. The action was taken following regular inspections conducted by the Council. They were found to be violating some of the rules or had failed to fulfill the health and hygiene requirements of the council. Temporary closure gives operators a chance to correct the violations and resume again. The violations committed by the clinics were of different kinds. Some of them were found to be functioning without the required number of medical experts or with unlicensed staff. As per the rules, every clinic should have one nurse for every doctor but some clinics were found to be operating without a nurse. Some of the private clinics failed to keep proper records of the patients, while others were found to use a part of the clinic for other activities. A few were found have put up incorrect sign board, start procedures before formal approval from the authorities, lack of separate or adequate are for men and women. Another serious violation was stocking of medicines in the clinic above the permitted quantity or stocking medicines with expired validity. Clinics are allowed to stock only sample medicines and in small quantities that are required for first aid. The other violations included use of medical equipment that didn’t meet the hygiene and health standards. Failure by some clinics to maintain general hygiene inside their premises also invited action from the council. Some medical centers were found to distribute medical products which are restricted or have ingredients which are not recorded by the concerned department. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=October2009&file=Local_News200910277357.xml

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar