Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Wednesday issued a new regulatory framework to govern the licensing of private mental health treatment and counseling clinics.
The initiative aims to organize services, enhance professional standards, and safeguard patient rights.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the regulation is designed to raise the quality of mental healthcare services. It also aims to strengthen safety standards and reinforce ethical practices across private medical facilities.
The framework outlines a series of technical and professional requirements.
Clinics and centers must be located in accessible areas. They must provide treatment rooms that meet approved technical standards. Additionally, they should establish secure systems for storing patient records to ensure confidentiality and privacy.
The regulation also sets strict professional qualifications.
All practitioners must hold valid licenses from the relevant authorities.
Each facility must employ at least one psychologist with a doctoral degree.
Depending on the range of services, clinics must also staff certified specialists in psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
Practitioners are required to comply with the Code of Ethics under Law No. 70 of 2020. They must also adhere to all applicable technical regulations governing healthcare facilities and medical practices.
Facilities must use an approved electronic system to record patient data, ensuring confidentiality and enabling effective regulatory oversight.
The Ministry emphasized that the new framework marks a major step forward in establishing professional governance over private mental health services.
It aims to create a safe, comprehensive, and therapeutic environment that protects patient rights. Additionally, it elevates the standard of mental healthcare to meet the highest scientific and professional benchmarks.
