Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population announced the closure of 16 unlicensed centers for addiction treatment and psychiatric care in the Maadi area of Cairo. The centers were shut down for violating health and legal regulations and operating without official licenses. This move is part of the ministry's efforts to intensify oversight of non-governmental medical facilities to protect public health and ensure adherence to approved standards.
A joint inspection campaign by the Health Ministry's Free Treatment Administration and the National Council for Mental Health uncovered the violations. The centers that were closed include Al-Hurriya, Hayat, Al-Sa'd, Al-Tafaool, Al-Mostakbal, Bidaya, Agyal, Yom Gedid, Al-Faezoun, Al-Thaqa, Hayat Gedida, Al-Mumtazoun, Mu'assasat Al-Ta'ahil, Al-Nada, Al-Hurriya 2, and Freedom.
The head of the Central Administration for Non-Governmental Therapeutic Institutions and Licenses, Dr. Hisham Zaki, stated that legal actions are being taken against these centers. He highlighted that the main violations included the absence of a technical director, operating without a license, inadequate infection control, insufficient equipment, and improper handling of hazardous waste.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Nahas, head of the Central Administration for the Technical Secretariat of the National Council for Mental Health, emphasized that these centers contravened the provisions of the law regulating non-governmental medical institutions and the law on mental health. He warned that these violations pose a real danger to residents and encouraged citizens to verify the licenses of any facility before visiting.
The Ministry of Health and Population is committed to ensuring that all medical facilities operate within the framework of the law and adhere to health and safety standards. The closures reflect the government's efforts to improve healthcare services and protect citizens from unqualified providers.
Citizens can report any unlicensed medical facilities or file complaints through the hotline 01207474740 or via the council's official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. This initiative aims to enhance public awareness and encourage community participation in monitoring healthcare services.
The campaign to close these centers was conducted in line with directives from Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghafar to enhance oversight of non-governmental medical institutions. The ministry remains dedicated to implementing these directives to safeguard public health and ensure that all healthcare providers meet the required standards.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Health closed 16 unlicensed addiction treatment centers in Maadi, Cairo.
- The centers were shut down for violating health and legal regulations and operating without licenses.
- The ministry conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with health standards and protect public health.
