Clamp on new clinic licences

By TARIQ KHONJI
NO new licences for clinics will be granted in Manama in areas outside those designated by the Capital Municipal Council, it was revealed yesterday.
New medical clinics will now only be allowed to open in certain parts of Tubli, Zinj and Mahooz.
Council chairman Murtaza Bader said the move aims to reduce the small islands of medical areas spread all over the country.
"At the moment there are small clinics and groups of clinics scattered all over the country," he said.
"We want to make the capital more organised by having clinics located in a central area.
"Clinics can open along Al Qadissiya Road which runs from Salmaniya, passes between Jasmis' Restaurant and Al Jazira Supermarket and connects to Shaikh Isa Highway," said Mr Bader.
"They can also open on Road 35 on which La Maison de Café is located and on the road parallel to Shaikh Isa Highway located in Tubli behind McDonald's and the other restaurants."
Mr Bader said the move would not affect existing clinics but that they may have to move later when the council introduces its new guidelines for clinics shortly.
"They will either have to move or do maintenance work to meet our new requirements or move to the newly designated areas."
The requirements stipulate that clinics must have ample parking space and easy access for cars.
Clinics will not be allowed to operate in areas, which regularly have major traffic jams, said Mr Bader.
The clinics will also have to have fire safety standards that meet the requirements of the Civil Defence and Fire Service.