UAE – The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has closed its two healthcare facilities on a temporary basis in response to a series of violations observed by the department’s healthcare quality team.
In an official statement, the Department of Health announced that the closure of one medical centre and one-day surgery centre is a regulatory measure taken to preserve the health and safety of community members.
“One medical centre has been closed pending the completion of investigations and regulatory procedures related to financial violations,” stated the DoH.
The DoH disclosed that the medical centre has been temporarily closed, and a doctor has been suspended until necessary investigations are concluded.
Reasons for closing this medical center was due to several breaches, such as the falsification of documentation for procedures, examinations, medical interventions, and treatments differing from the actual care provided.
Other violations include non-compliance with the department’s circulars, policies, and regulations as well as the use of an unauthorised facility name that diverges from the one designated by DoH.
On the other hand, a one-day surgery centre has been closed due to violations that pose a significant threat to the health and safety of our community members.
Commenting on the closure of the one-day surgery centre, the DoH said: “This step is a response to the severe threats posed by the observed violations to the well-being and safety of our community members.”
The one-day surgery centre was scrapped off the list due to failure to adhere to radiation protection standards or essential shielding equipment and materials, for both employees and patients.
Furthermore, the facility was found to be non-compliant with standards and protocols for handling hazardous materials, medical waste disposal, building and vital systems maintenance, and fire safety procedures established by the DoH and the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority.
The facility also breached protocols by not maintaining and calibrating medical devices and by failing to comply with accredited training systems for its workforce.
In addition, the facility failed to adhere to infection prevention measures and requirements, as evidenced by a visit from the Department of Health’s healthcare quality team.
The DoH’s healthcare quality team also identified a series of violations related to infectious disease prevention standards and regulations.
These violations included non-compliance with the federal law concerning infectious disease prevention as well as a breach of the department’s directive mandating the use of an electronic reporting system, whether among employees or patients.
The Department of Health pointed out that the one-day surgery centre has been suspended until it rectifies its safety conditions and procedures.
As the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, the Department of Health called on all health facilities to comply with its policies and regulations.
The aim of this order is to maintain the efficiency of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system and ensure all health facilities continue to provide services in line with international best practices.
The DoH affirms that it will continue to dedicate efforts to ensure the enhancement of the quality and efficiency of healthcare services provided by facilities operating in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
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