All medical facilities in Dubai have been banned from filming any surgical procedures to promote their services on social media.
Dubai Health Authority issued a circular on Tuesday restricting all videoing during surgery as it infringes patient privacy, even if the patient has given their consent.
Filming also breaches infection control protocols and can distract surgeons during operations, the DHA said.
Steps have been taken by regulators following the increasing phenomenon of unauthorised medical people entering operation rooms to record surgeries, then posting live on social media channels like Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter to advertise clinics.
“These offending actions can affect the doctor and medical crew’s concentration while conducting the surgery and it also constitutes a clear breach of infection control laws,” said Dr Marwan Al Mulla, Director of Health Regulation at DHA.
“If the person filming is not authorised to enter the operating room or does not have a medical background, they are endangering the health and safety of patients.
“The authority is keen to achieve the highest standards of quality and safety in the services provided to patients and is committed to continuously communicating with its strategic partners in the private health sector.
"We will ensure that they are aware with any update in regulations related to the health and safety of services provided to patients.”
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