A consultant physician was dismissed from government service for dereliction of duty and another was issued a warning for negligence in follow-up work in government hospitals in Hail on the directives of Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah.

“The minister gave these instructions based on reports submitted by the field inspection team of the Directorate General of Health Affairs in Hail,” an official from the Ministry of Health (MoH) said. 

On Wednesday, the MoH shut down four health facilities in the capital for violations. The facilities that were closed temporarily included two clinics, an optical shop and a maternity wing of a private hospital for using outdated equipment in the labor room.

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 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 to citizens and residents and we want them to offer quality services with a ‘patients first’ vision in their ventures,” the official said.

In 2012, Al-Rabeeah launched a “patients 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 down 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.

“Members of the public can deliver their complaints online on www.moh.gov.sa or fax the details to 0112124196 to receive the urgent attention of the ministry,” said Ali Az-Zawawi, undersecretary to private sector facilities at the MoH.

During the holy month of Ramadan, the inspection team found 172 irregularities in health companies, 156 in pharmacies and 130 irregularities among medical and technical personnel, resulting in the closure of a few health facilities.