Dubai: In a crackdown on health law violations, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention shut down three medical centres, a day surgery hospital and three pharmacies temporarily in the first half of this year, according to a senior spokesperson.
These establishments have been closed down for one to four months, depending on their violations, following inspections conducted by the Health Governance Department.
Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for Public Policy and Licensing at the ministry and vice-chairman for Supreme National Drug Registration, said the closures were disciplinary rather than punitive to ensure compliance with regulations.
The violations included poor storage of medicines and other pharmaceutical products, non-compliance with engineering standards and procedures for medical devices’ sterilisation, non-disposal of medical waste, and lack of proper ventilation.
The move was in line with the ministry’s mandate to safeguard community health and was based on laws and regulations governing medical and pharmaceutical establishments to guarantee that they are operating according to the highest standards imposed in the UAE and worldwide, in order to achieve the national index for all hospitals to have their facilities internationally accredited.
According to Dr Al Amiri, the ministry conducted 1,656 inspections at 548 medical facilities and 633 pharmaceutical facilities and warehouses; 470 engineering inspections of medical establishments; and made five judicial seizures during the first half of the year.
These accomplishments demonstrate the ministry’s full support for all local health establishments through monitoring, supervising, and inspecting medical establishments in the country. Additionally, it has taken initiatives to increase the number of specialised medical staff working as inspectors who will carry out judicial seizures in the country backed by the latest technologies.
Facilities facing action
Giving details, Dr Al Amiri said 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. These centres have one month to comply with the ministry’s regulations and existing laws before they are allowed to operate again.
The ministry’s Department of Operations closed down a day surgery hospital for four months in coordination with the emirate’s Department of Economic Development. The department will evaluate the facility before its reopening. The erring hospital is also required to undergo rehabilitation and the necessary engineering modifications, including on its ventilation system, for six months. In addition, the facility was found to be 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 found to be not chemically washable.
Three private pharmacies were also ordered to stop their operations for one to two months after they were found guilty of violating health regulations, certain provisions of the Pharmacy Law, and related ministerial decisions. The violations include 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.
