(MENAFN - Arab News) Medical institutions in Jeddah have paid the most fines for violating health regulations in the Kingdom, according to the Ministry of Health yesterday.
The ministry's statement said various health facilities in the Kingdom have paid a total SR3.5 million in fines.
Jeddah accounted for SR1.3 million, followed by Madinah (SR550,000) and then the Eastern Province (SR537,000).
Under this program, the ministry had taken action against 73 pharmacies, 22 medical stores, 37 hospitals and 34 polyclinics in various parts of the Kingdom.
A health ministry official said these actions are taken as and when required to ensure health care providers and health institutions offer quality health services to the people.
These cases are handled by a special department in the Ministry of Health, while serious cases are referred to a judicial commission for necessary legal action. All these matters come under the direct purview of Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah.
Over a period of time, the ministry issued 267 fines, eight warnings, closed five health care facilities and annulled four medical licenses.
Medical institutions in Jeddah racked up 41 violations in total, followed by 37 in the Eastern Province and 36 in Riyadh.
Health directors in the Kingdom took action against 81 proprietors of private health facilities, 29 pharmacists, 68 physicians, seven specialists, 32 nurses and 10 technicians.
The official said the ministry would continue its efforts to visit health facilities in various regions to inspect the quality of service offered to patients and the equipment used in those places. "This is being done on a routine basis to ensure quality healthcare is offered by both the private and public sectors in the Kingdom."
Meanwhile, the ministry urged the concerned authorities and institutions to exert maximum care in providing services to patients and their families. It also requested hospitals and clinics to follow the accepted pattern for disposal of medical waste.
The ministry said violations of health regulations would be publicized from time to time for the benefit of the public.
