Dubai Health Authority Shuts Down Four Health Clinics Over Quality Issues

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced that it has temporarily shut down four health facilities owing to a compromise in the quality of services offered.

The four facilities that have been shut down include a day-care surgery centre, a plastic surgery clinic, an aesthetics clinic and a dermatology clinic. The DHA did disclose the identity of the four clinics.

“The four facilities have been temporarily shut down and have been fined for violations that they committed which directly compromise the quality of health services,” said Layla Al Marzouqi, acting-director of health regulation at the DHA.

“The dermatology clinic was only licensed to perform dermatological work but it provided services in other specialties as well. Similarly, the plastic surgery clinic only had a licensed laser hair removal technician but provided other services.

“The day-care surgery centre, had patients staying for more than 24 hours at the centre, post-surgery. This is not allowed as any surgery that requires post-surgical admission beyond 24 hours must be performed at a hospital only. The aesthetics clinic also violated several protocols.”

These facilities were also found to have breached certain infection control measures while some had unlicensed medications, Al Marzouqi said.

The compromise in the quality of services was noticed during DHA’s random inspections, the official said.

“During the random inspections, two of the health facilities tried to bride our inspectors. Our inspectors contacted the police and together we caught these facilities red-handed.”

She added that the DHA has taken disciplinary action against certain health professionals as well.

Over the last year, the government department issued one notification letter and eight warning letters to professionals while revoking the license of one official and suspending four other healthcare professionals.

“While the DHA strongly supports investment in healthcare and expansion of health services, providing high-quality health services in line with health regulations is mandatory to ensure provision of high-quality services to the population,” said Al Marzouqi.

Dubai has been tightening regulations in the healthcare sector as the emirate looks to attract about 500,000 medical tourists by 2020.

The UAE also established a medical board to develop the country’s healthcare services.