By Yusuf Al Habsi
Muscat: A joint team from the Ministry of Health, the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) and the Royal Oman Police (ROP) busted 3 apartments and a beauty salon in the Wilayats of Bausher and Seeb for performing unauthorized cosmetic surgeries.
More than 4,600 illegal medical and cosmetic products were seized and 4 unlicenced workers were arrested during the raid. The raids were carried out after monitoring social media sites and receiving reports at the Consumer Protection Authority.
Dr Said bin Mohammed al Mughairy, Director of the Quality Control and Patient Safety Department at the Directorate-General of Private Health Institutions at the Ministry of Health, said that the joint team from the Ministry of Health, the Consumer Protection Authority and the Royal Oman Police is active in combating illegal practices and authorized clinics and beauty salons. By conducting regular raids and closing unlicenced cosmetic services, the team managed to prevent serious health complications and reduced their risks. He pointed out that the products used in aesthetic services must be approved by health authorities. The possible use of expired adulterated products at unlicenced centres have serious health consequences on the receivers. Besides, illegal practices often involve fraud and deception either by providing unsafe services or using illegal substances.
Khalid bin Salem al Siyabi, Director of the Market Regulation and Monitoring Department at the Consumer Protection Authority, said that the joint team arrested 4 unlicenced female workers who administered Botox and filler injections and seized 4,610 unlicenced cosmetic products. The perpetrators were detained pending trial. He pointed out to the importance of receiving cosmetic service from authorized providers to avert serious medical complications.
In an investigative report published last November, the newspaper cautioned against the perils of illegal cosmetic services that may result in serious conditions such as gangrene and other deformities. It warned against the illegal cosmetic surgeries including the most ubiquitous filler and Botox procedures provided by unauthorized cosmetic clinics by unqualified people. Plastic surgeons and dermatology specialists have raised the alarm as the licenced centres are receiving more cases of women suffering complications including gangrene, irreversible damage, deformities and allergies after receiving cosmetic procedures at unauthorized clinics and beauty salons.
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