RIYADH: The Ministry of Health announced the closure of a leading private hospital in the north of Riyadh on Tuesday for committing repeated violations despite its warnings.
The inspection team from the General Directorate of the Health Affairs in the Riyadh region had earlier issued three warnings to the hospital to take remedial measures in areas where the basic requirements were not fulfilled.
The ministry initially closed the outpatient department of the hospital, followed by the closure of the emergency department, and finally ended up with closure of the entire facility. The hospital also has failed to obtain the license from the Civil Defense on safety matters and has not made proper arrangements for disposal of medical waste.
“The closure of these facilities is based on reports submitted by the field inspection team of the Directorate General of Health Affairs in the respective region,” the official said. He said the team conducts regular inspections of private facilities in the region to check the quality of services offered in ambulance services, surgical theaters and the professional suitability of medics and paramedics employed by these health institutions to ensure quality health care to patients.
The Ministry of Health operates a help line for the members of the public to complain about medical errors and health violations in the Kingdom. Members of the public can make their complaints online or they can directly fax the details for necessary action, the official said, adding that they can make an online complaint on www.moh.gov.sa or fax 0112124196 to receive the urgent attention of the ministry.
Pointing out that the action taken against the management of this facility reflects the ministry’s concern for the safety and welfare of patients, he further warned that negligence and recklessness on the part of health providers will not be tolerated by the government, and stern action will be taken against based on the seriousness of the violations.
“We treat the private sector as strategic partners in providing health services to the people and we want them to offer quality services with a ‘patients first’ vision in their ventures,” the official said.
The inspection team from the General Directorate of the Health Affairs in the Riyadh region had earlier issued three warnings to the hospital to take remedial measures in areas where the basic requirements were not fulfilled.
The ministry initially closed the outpatient department of the hospital, followed by the closure of the emergency department, and finally ended up with closure of the entire facility. The hospital also has failed to obtain the license from the Civil Defense on safety matters and has not made proper arrangements for disposal of medical waste.
“The closure of these facilities is based on reports submitted by the field inspection team of the Directorate General of Health Affairs in the respective region,” the official said. He said the team conducts regular inspections of private facilities in the region to check the quality of services offered in ambulance services, surgical theaters and the professional suitability of medics and paramedics employed by these health institutions to ensure quality health care to patients.
The Ministry of Health operates a help line for the members of the public to complain about medical errors and health violations in the Kingdom. Members of the public can make their complaints online or they can directly fax the details for necessary action, the official said, adding that they can make an online complaint on www.moh.gov.sa or fax 0112124196 to receive the urgent attention of the ministry.
Pointing out that the action taken against the management of this facility reflects the ministry’s concern for the safety and welfare of patients, he further warned that negligence and recklessness on the part of health providers will not be tolerated by the government, and stern action will be taken against based on the seriousness of the violations.
“We treat the private sector as strategic partners in providing health services to the people and we want them to offer quality services with a ‘patients first’ vision in their ventures,” the official said.
