AMMAN - The Ministry of Health is considering testing the proficiency of skincare specialists across the Kingdom following the closure of several skincare centres due to a lack of qualified staff, a ministry official said on Wednesday.
According to health ministry licensing director Azmi Hadidi, health officials have closed down over 30 skincare centres in the first five months of the year for violating various health regulations.
The violations included the employment of unlicensed or unqualified specialists and the unlicensed use of laser treatment for skin therapy and hair removal. According to health regulations, only dermatologists are licensed to use laser procedures for skin treatments.
"These centres and their employees should be licensed by the ministry and we cannot allow them to deceive and hurt people," Hadidi said in a press conference yesterday.
According to Hadidi, the ministry's licensing director is responsible for all healthcare professions and institutions, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medical centres, optical centres, medical laboratories and skincare and massage centres.
The Public Health Law stipulates that the health ministry is authorised to close down any health institution found in violation of the law after issuing two warnings. The law also authorises the minister to immediately close down any health centre that is deemed to be a threat to public health.
A ministry inspection committee conducts periodic visits to health institutions across the country, Hadidi pointed out.
At yesterday's press conference, Hadidi revealed that the ministry closed down 14 optical centres and one dental clinic in the first five months of the year.
Also during the period in question, the ministry revoked the licence of four optical centres, seven pharmacies and eight dental clinics in addition to issuing warnings to six medical laboratories and 29 optical centres, Hadidi added.
By Khetam Malkawi
© Jordan Times 2010
