The Ministry of Health has closed down 23 health and pharmaceutical facilities for violating regulations.

The closures came as part of the ministry’s monitoring program through unscheduled inspection visits and periodic monitoring by specialized personnel in various health administration directorates all over the Kingdom.

The ministry said the health administrations reported 493 violations in hospitals, medical centers, medical complexes and pharmacies. The reports were filed to the reviewing committee of violations for private health institutions and pharmaceutical facilities.

Violations varied between cadre shortage, employing unlicensed personnel, expired licenses and disregard of professional and procedural protocol. The establishments were closed down as a precautionary measure.

Secretary-General for the private health sector Ali Al Zawawi praised the role of the private health sector in providing comprehensive services and asked workers in this sector to double their efforts to maintain the requisite standard.

The ministry pays special attention to inspection and monitoring to ensure that rules and regulations are being implemented properly for quality assurance. Through its various committees, the ministry will continue to supervise and monitor the work of the private sector to make sure specifications are met, a Ministry of Health statement said.