Don't fall prey to illegal cosmetic centres

Dubai - The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has cautioned people against risks from malpractices carried out by unlicensed medical practitioners.

Before you step into a so-called beauty or fitness centre, ensure it is licensed or else you could land in the hospital. Those who run such unlicensed centres must know it is a criminal offence and is punishable by law.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has cautioned people against risks from malpractices carried out by unlicensed medical practitioners.
The warning is aimed at raising awareness among the community, and to protect all individuals from such malpractices, including medical equipment used in unlicensed beauty centres. It is also to safeguard people against nutritional supplements that carry bogus therapeutic claims and hormonal supplements that don't have the necessary licensing.
Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for public health policy and licensing at the MoHAP, said that unlicensed cosmetic procedures can lead to serious complications. Most of these procedures are being conducted by non-specialised professionals - with no medical background - who use poor-quality cosmetic products and operate in the unhygienic environment. These unlicensed practitioners do not have access to emergency care in case of complication, he added.
Some beauty centres outside the licensed health institutions may temporarily employ visiting doctors or cosmeticians who bring in low-quality cosmetics and conceal patient medical reports. This sort of malpractice is a criminal offence and is deemed punishable by law, he added.
Dr Al Amiri also spoke about popular procedures such as Botox and fillers, in addition to the unmonitored use of laser procedures. He noted that some people working in the field of beauty do not have any form of medical education, and they perform specialised procedures. Some fake practitioners even offer home-based services, he added.
The assistant undersecretary pointed out that some fitness centres sell and promote supplements, that claim to achieve enhanced muscles, under trainers who lack experience and are unaware of the risks posed by those products. This can lead to a number of complications that affect the liver and kidneys. We have noticed an increasing number of hospitalisations as a result of consuming these medications, and mainly the injectable hormones, he added.
Dr Al Amiri said that the ministry has worked out a plan to implement strict framework for better monitoring. He explained that the empowerment and health compliance department has appointed a specialised team to conduct regular inspections of all medical facilities. When instances of malpractice are uncovered, security authorities conduct seizures, with violators transferred to the appropriate judicial authority, he warned. 
He urged patients seeking cosmetic treatments to consult professionals in licensed firms to protect their health and save money.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 

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