Doha: The Ministry of Public Health closed five private medical centres and referred them to 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 Covid-19 epidemic and to ensure the safety of patients and medical workers.

The Ministry detected the violations during its inspection of health facilities in the country.

It also decided to extend the suspension of services of diet and nutrition centers, physiotherapy clinics, complementary (alternative) medicine, home healthcare services, except for long-term nursing contracts, and health centers for people with special needs.

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.

On March 28, 2020, the Ministry of Public Health issued a circular requiring all private health facilities in the country to suspend non-emergency services.