Mansour Al-Hawasi, deputy health minister for Health Affairs, has ordered the closure of four health facilities due to various health violations.

“The deputy minister ordered the closure of these facilities based on reports submitted by the field inspection team at the Riyadh Directorate General of Health Affairs,” an official from the MoH said.

Two clinics, an optical shop and the maternity wing of a private hospital were also closed under the direction of the deputy minister.

An optical shop was shut down for operating the facility without a valid license.

The MoH also closed down the maternity wing of hospital because it did not have proper incubation equipment and has been running with only two doctors a day. The equipment used in the labor room was reported to be old and not in proper working condition.

He cited other reasons for the decision to shut down the maternity ward including working without licenses or functioning with expired licenses, lack of trained medical staff and absence of proper facilities and equipment. The closure of these medical facilities is temporary and they can be reopened once the irregularities are rectified, he added.

The official explained that the MoH team conducts regular inspection raids on private facilities in the region to check the quality of services offered in ambulance services, operation theaters and the professional suitability of medics and paramedics employed by these health institutions to ensure quality health care to patients.

He highlighted that the action taken against the management of these facilities reflects the ministry’s concern for the safety and welfare of patients. He further warned that the government will not tolerate negligence and recklessness on the part of health providers and stern action will be taken against such violators based on the seriousness of the violations.

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

In 2012, Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah launched a “patient first” program, which highlighted the quality and vision of medical care expected from health providers for patients in the Kingdom..

Last year, the MoH closed 30 medical complexes, 15 polyclinics, 29 pharmacies, 27 optical houses and five physiotherapy centers for violations. During the same period the ministry also collected SR3.75 million in fines from such violators, which included SR1.98 million from pharmacies.