Egypt Shuts Down 32 Unlicensed Addiction Treatment Centers Amid Safety Concerns
In a significant move, the Egyptian Ministry of Health has announced the closure of 32 unlicensed addiction treatment and psychiatric centers across multiple governorates due to serious health and legal infractions that endanger local residents.
According to an official statement from the ministry, these centers were operating in Alexandria, Sharqia, Beheira, and Dakahlia without the necessary licenses. They exhibited major shortcomings in infection control, maintained inadequate records, and mishandled hazardous waste.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the ministry's spokesperson, noted that the closures resulted from collaborative inspection efforts involving the Free Treatment Administration, the National Mental Health Council, and the General Administration for Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior. These inspections uncovered the violations that led to the shutdown of these facilities.
* Details of the Closures :
• Alexandria: 8 centers in Abu Talat and Al-Ajami, along with 11 additional centers in Abu Talat and Al-King.
• Sharqia: 11 centers located in the city of 10th of Ramadan.
• Beheira: 11 centers in Damanhur.
• Dakahlia: Two licensed centers were inspected and referred for investigation due to pharmaceutical violations.
Dr. Hisham Zaki, head of the Central Administration for Non-Governmental Treatment Institutions, confirmed that the ministry plans to pursue legal action against those found in violation, while continuing monitoring efforts across all governorates.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Nahhas, head of the Technical Secretariat of the National Mental Health Council, stated that these centers breached laws governing non-governmental medical facilities, the Mental Health Law, and environmental regulations, posing a serious risk to public safety.
This initiative follows a series of distressing events, including a fire at the Benha treatment center that resulted in casualties due to inadequate safety measures, and the escape of residents from the Maryoutiya treatment center in Giza, where they faced severe mistreatment and unlawful detention in a villa masquerading as a treatment facility.
The ministry underscored that the aim of this campaign is to safeguard lives, ensure compliance with health and legal standards among addiction treatment centers, and prevent future tragedies that have recently alarmed the public.
