By MOHAMMED IQBAL
DOHA: Shopping malls in Qatar may soon have private clinics in their premises, with the Cabinet approving an amendment in the rules that enables establishment of such facilities at commercial complexes.
The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft decision issued by the Minister of Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani amending some provisions of Decision No. 9 of 1987 on requirements, specifications and facilities at private clinics. The amendment aims to encourage private investment in health sector by allowing private clinics to operate in commercial complexes across the country, the Qatar News Agency reported.
A senior official of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) told this daily yesterday that the SCH had sought an amendment because the existing rules do not permit establishment of private clinics and hospitals in the premises of shopping complexes.
“As per the existing rules, it is mandatory for such facilities to have independent premises, in a safe distance from crowded shopping areas. We proposed an amendment because the trend is changing worldwide and shopping malls have now become a place where people can avail of all services, including medical care. There are even hospitals functioning in some shopping complexes,” said Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, Director of Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Department at SCH, which is responsible for licensing and monitoring private healthcare facilities. “We can now expect to have clinics at leading shopping malls in Doha like the Villaggio,” he added. The restrictions in the existing rules explain why there is a row of clinics located opposite the Villaggio but none inside the mall premises.
The Barwa Village in Al Wakra has a private clinic but it is functioning in a totally independent setting like many other commercial facilities in the sprawling Village. Al Khanji said that there will be no compromise on the health and safety requirements for clinics operating in shopping centres. “All the rules and regulations governing other private clinics will apply to these facilities as well. They will also be required to ensure privacy for the visitors,” he said.
The Peninsula
