A private polyclinic on Kilo 14, Old Makkah Road, has been closed down for functioning against health norms. The Health affairs department found illegal medical practices that could endanger patients' lives in the polyclinic. “During our periodic inspection tour of private and government hospitals and clinics, we discovered, in this clinic, unhygienic and illegal treatment being practiced secretly,” said Khodran Al-Harthi, head of inspection team in Jeddah Health Affairs Department. According to Al-Harthi, such inspections are required to ensure hospitals and clinics stick to the health norms. Conditions and requirements set by the ministry are given in advance to clinics and hospitals. “We distributed many lists and included the common errors and practices that were not allowed, yet many fail to comply due to which we close such clinics,” said Sami Badawood, Head of Jeddah Health Affairs Department. Clinics and hospitals that violate the norms will have to pay a hefty fine ranging from SR10,000 to SR100,000 or could even get their licenses revoked depending upon the seriousness of the violation. __
