The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has closed five private medical centres and referred them to the Health Prosecution for violating the decision to suspend some non-emergency health services in private health facilities, as part of precautionary measures to combat the coronavirus epidemic and to ensure the safety of patients and medical workers.
The MOPH detected the violations during its inspection visits to health facilities in the country. At its weekly meeting on 29th April 2020, Qatar’s Cabinet decided to extend the suspension of non-emergency medical services in private health facilities, including dental clinics, dermatology and laser clinics, plastic surgery clinics and surgeries, with the exception of emergency cases in dental clinics, laser and dermatology clinics, plastic surgery clinics and surgeries.
It also decided to extend the suspension of services of diet and nutrition centres, physiotherapy clinics, complementary (alternative) medicine, home healthcare services, except for long-term nursing contracts, and health centres for people with special needs.
On 28th March 2020, the MOPH issued a circular requiring all private health facilities in the country to suspend non-emergency services.
The Cabinet decided that the Minister of Public Health may permit any of these private health facilities to provide some of their medical services if possible, through modern means of communication.
