The Health Professions Authority (HPA) has closed 49 illegal health facilities this year following inspections and information received from members of the public.
Recently, the authority said some of the facilities, including drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres, were operating without the required registration or qualified personnel, raising concerns about the safety and quality of treatment offered to patients.
“The Health Professions Authority has noted that there are illegal health institutions, including drug and substance abuse facilities, operating without requisite registration or qualified personnel,” the authority said.
The HPA said seeking treatment at unregistered facilities exposed patients to serious risks, including substandard healthcare, unproven or harmful treatments, abuse and neglect.
“Seeking treatment at unregistered health facilities poses severe risks to patients, including substandard care, exposure to unproven or harmful treatments, patient abuse and neglect, as well as a complete lack of legal recourse in cases of malpractice or harm,” the authority said.
The closure of the 49 facilities highlights the importance of regulatory oversight in ensuring that healthcare institutions meet the required standards before offering services to the public.
Drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres are particularly important in supporting individuals recovering from addiction, making it essential that they operate in environments equipped to provide safe, professional and appropriate care.
