JEDDAH: A women’s fitness center that was being run by and as part of a hospital in Jeddah was closed down by a committee set up by the Medical Licensing Administration that operates under the city’s Health Affairs Department.
Running health clubs or fitness centers for women is not permitted in the Kingdom.
The committee also discovered that the hospital was guilty of several other violations such as employing female workers who do not have qualifications and workers who are not under its sponsorship. The committee also found receptionists had been employed without work contracts.
The committee ordered the hospital management to rectify all violations, and said the fitness centers would not be allowed to operate as gyms are against the law.
“Anyone who violates regulations governing the running of health facilities would be punished severely because this involves people’s health,” said Muhammad Abdul Jawad, director of the Medical Licensing Administration.
Abdul Jawad urged all clinics and hospitals in Jeddah to follow regulations and avoid being penalized. He said there are committees that regularly inspect health facilities to ensure they strictly follow regulations. Khadran Al-Harithy is chairman of the Medical Licensing Administration’s Closure Committee with Dr. Muhammad Sultan and Aed Al-Qarni its members.
