Illegal cosmetic procedures surge in Jordan, expands oversight for patient safety — JMA

AMMAN —  A general physician in Jordan was recently referred to the attorney general for performing a “tummy tuck” without a license, according to the Jordan Medical Association (JMA). 

Speaking with The Jordan Times, JMA Board Member Maha Fakhoury explained that this cosmetic surgical procedure, also known as abdominoplasty, involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen.

Fakhoury said that the doctor who performed this procedure without a license was arrested and referred to the attorney general, following the collapse of his patient. 

The said doctor performed this procedure at a clinic under local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia, which is illegal, as it endangered the life of the patient, who is currently on a ventilator receiving medical care at a hospital, said Fakhoury. 

She noted that this type of illegal practices emerged in Jordan when cosmetic procedures, such as botox and dermal fillers, became popular. 

She added that some general physicians, dermatologists and even beauticians saw the increased demand on such procedures as an opportunity to make “easy money”. 

“In addition to endangering lives, these illegal practices harm medical tourism, a flourishing sector in Jordan,” Fakhoury stressed. 

She added that the JMA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, is working on issuing a system to regulate medical advertisements, particularly on social media platforms, to ensure that no person or institution prays on people’s lack of knowledge or desperation to lure them into undergoing illegal cosmetic procedures. 

Fakhoury pointed out that the JMA receives “hundreds” of complaints related to similar practices every year.

She affirmed the importance of awareness raising, in addition to increasing the capacity of the Licensing of Health Professions and Institutions Directorate to help counter this issue.  

The directorate currently oversees approximately 12,000 private clinics, 70 private hospitals, and almost 3,000 clinics in Jordan, in addition to physiotherapy centres, nutrition centres, and medical laboratories, among other institutions, said Fakhoury. 

There are approximately 44,000 physicians registered at the JMA, including 25,000 practicing doctors, according to Fakhoury, who noted that this number is expected to increase by 38,000 within the next five years. 

She also said that the JMA will publish an updated list of licensed doctors in Jordan and their areas of specialty.