Egypt’s Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday the closure of 16 private addiction treatment and psychiatric facilities in Cairo’s Mokattam district after inspectors uncovered serious violations posing risks to patients’ safety.
The move followed joint inspection campaigns conducted in coordination with the Interior Ministry’s anti-narcotics department, the National Council for Mental Health, and the ministry’s licensing authority, the statement said.
Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar explained that the inspections targeted centres advertising their services on social media without proper medical supervision or licensing.
According to Ahmed El-Nahhas, head of the council’s technical secretariat, violations included operating without permits, employing unqualified staff, possession of narcotics, failure to meet safety standards, and the use of unregistered or counterfeit medicines. He added that the facilities were sealed and cases referred to judicial authorities.
“The ministry is committed to protecting patients’ health and safety and will not tolerate violations,” El-Nahhas stressed, noting that inspection campaigns will continue to ensure compliance with medical regulations.
The ministry urged citizens to check the licensing status of treatment centres before seeking care and to report violations via its hotline (01207474740), WhatsApp, or through the official social media pages of the National Council for Mental Health.
