Egypt Shuts Down 32 Unauthorized Addiction Treatment Centers Amid Safety Concerns
In a significant move following a series of serious incidents, the Egyptian Ministry of Health has announced the closure of 32 unauthorized addiction and mental health treatment centers across several provinces, citing health and legal violations that endanger residents.
The ministry stated in an official release that the offending centers are located in the provinces of Alexandria, Sharqia, Beheira, and Dakahlia, operating without licenses and exhibiting severe deficiencies in infection control and equipment. Additionally, there were disorganized records and unsafe handling of hazardous waste.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the ministry's official spokesperson, indicated that the closures followed joint inspections conducted by the private treatment administration of health departments, the National Mental Health Council, and the General Administration for Drug Control under the Ministry of Interior, which uncovered violations leading to the shutdown of these facilities.
* Details of the Closures :
• Alexandria: 8 centers in Abu Talat and Al Agami, and 11 additional centers in Abu Talat and Al Keng areas.
• Sharqia: 11 centers in the city of El Ashar of Ramadan.
• Beheira: 11 centers in Damanhur.
• Dakahlia: inspection of two authorized centers referred for investigation due to pharmaceutical violations.
Dr. Hisham Zaki, head of the central administration for non-governmental treatment institutions, confirmed that the ministry will pursue legal action against the violators, while monitoring campaigns continue across all provinces.
Dr. Ahmed El Nahas, president of the technical secretariat of the National Mental Health Council, explained that these centers violated laws governing non-governmental medical facilities, mental health legislation, and environmental regulations, posing a serious risk to residents' lives.
This initiative follows a series of tragic incidents, including a fire at a center in Benha that resulted in casualties due to inadequate safety measures, and the escape of residents from the Marioutia clinic in Giza after experiencing severe violations and illegal detention within a "villa" operating as an unregulated addiction treatment center.
The ministry emphasized that the aim of this campaign is to protect lives, ensure that all addiction treatment centers meet health and legal standards, and prevent the recurrence of tragedies that have recently shocked public opinion.
