RIYADH: The General Directorate of Health Affairs in Riyadh closed down 71 health facilities for violation of rules during the past three months.

Nasser Al-Dosari, acting director-general of health affairs in Riyadh, said the facilities can be reopened only if remedial action, conforming to health regulations, are taken by them.

The official said that during the period, the inspection team visited 356 facilities and found violation of rules being committed by 137. “However, the 71 facilities had to be closed because the violations were serious and patients could have been affected,” he said.

The violations among the closed health facilities included having an operation theater for cosmetic surgery without permission from the Ministry of Health (MoH). The other reasons were working without license or functioning with expired license, lack of trained medical staff and absence of proper facilities and equipment.

Al-Dosary said introducing an operation theater in a hospital needs the prior approval of the MoH so that health officials can ensure that the equipment, staff and services in such a theater are according to the specifications.

He said the team conducts regular inspection of private facilities in the region to check the quality of services offered in ambulance services, operation theaters, medical warehouses and the professional suitability of medics and paramedics employed by these health institutions.

He said the ministry acts on complaints received from citizens and residents through its official website and through phone calls.

Pointing out that the action taken against the management of these facilities reflects the ministry’s concern for the safety and welfare of patients, he warned that negligence and recklessness on the part of health providers will not be tolerated.

“We treat the private sector as strategic partners in providing health services to people and we want them to offer quality services with a ‘patients first’ vision in their ventures,” the official said.

People can file complaints at www.moh.gov.sa or fax 0112124196, he added.