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Licences of 8 Doctors Revoked in Crackdown on Private Clinics

dubai — Licences of eight doctors have been revoked while 120 health violations were detected during a crackdown on private clinics and hospitals by the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms).

Following a recently announced by-law that regulates the working of the private clinics/hospitals by the Dubai Health Authority, Dohms has stepped up its vigil against unlawful practices that could endanger the lives of patients.

During the crackdown from January to August this year, Dohms also issued fines of Dh600,000 in at least 120 violations committed during this period. Dr Odeh Ahmed Odeh, Head of Facility Controlling and Quality Assurance Department at Dohms, said that the clinics of at least two suspended doctors of the eight have been shut down.

Some doctors were found to have issued fake sick leave certificates while one was practising in a field which was not his speciality. “The doctors will face a life ban and will not be allowed to work in the UAE again,” Dr Odeh said.

During the last four months, 61 unlicensed nurses and 20 radiographers from specialist and general clinics have also been suspended. “Eleven nurses have also been found working in hospitals without a licence. Appointment of this medical staff has now been postponed for one year,” he explained.

Among other violations was the closure of three laboratories for ‘outsourcing’ medical fitness tests illegally, while some clinics had been turned into staff accommodation.

Dr Odeh also said that some cosmetics centres were found operating unlicensed medical devices, particularly laser apparatus.

Three massage centres were shut down for sample manipulation. “They had recruited unqualified technicians and staff,” he added.

Fines of Dh20,000 were issued to opticians for issuing certificates for driving licences illegally. Currently, Dubai has 19 private hospitals and over 600 clinics.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com