Sanctions
- Pursuant to the stipulation of Article 4 of Decree-Law no. 22/99/M dated 31st May, private healthcare units should respect the principle of freedom of choice on the part of service users, and refrain from any behaviours or acts that are incompatible with this principle. In the event of confirmed non-compliance with the above provision, the penalty of a fine of MOP12,500-150,000 shall be imposed under Article 13 of the same Decree-Law.
- According to the stipulation of Article 6 of Decree-Law no. 22/99/M dated 31st May, the operation of any private healthcare unit depends on the possession of the licence and permit that are granted via dispatch by the director of the Health Bureau. In the event of confirmed non-compliance with the above provision, the penalty of a fine of MOP25,000-300,000 shall be imposed under Article 13 of the same Decree-Law.
- Pursuant to the stipulation of Article 10 of Decree-Law no. 22/99/M dated 31st May, each private healthcare unit must have an internal regulation validated in the dispatch granting the operation licence, and a clear and legible price list displayed in a place that is accessible to the service users. In the event of confirmed non-compliance with the above provision, the penalty of a fine of MOP12,500-150,000 shall be imposed under Article 13 of the same Decree-Law.
- Pursuant to the stipulations of Article 11 of Decree-Law no. 22/99/M dated 31st May, prior notification should be made to the Health Bureau in case of significant changes relating to the health facilities, such as transfer of ownership, termination of operation as well as changes of clinical management, doctors or supervisory personnel; in the event of alteration of the architectural structure of the healthcare unit or construction works that affect the normal functioning of the whole or part of the unit, a notification should be made to the Health Bureau 30 days in advance, without prejudice to the acquisition of licence as required by law. In the event of non-compliance with the above two provisions, the Health Bureau may suspend the effect of the operation licence; meanwhile, in accordance with Article 13 of the same Decree-Law, non-compliance with the stipulations of Article 11 is punishable by a fine of MOP12,500-150,000.
- According to paragraph 3 of Article 13 of Decree-Law no. 22/99/M dated 31st May, any private healthcare unit that operates with an obvious lack of quality of care and treatment shall be liable to a fine of MOP25,000-300,000.
- According to paragraph 4 of Article 13 of Decree-Law no. 22/99/M dated 31st May, lacking the materials and human resources required by professional regulations, despite subsequent replenishment, constitutes an illegal act and shall be punishable by a fine of MOP12,500-150,000.
- According to paragraph 5 of Article 13 of Decree-Law no. 22/99/M dated 31st May, the minimum and maximum fines shall be doubled if the same illegal act or its equivalence is performed more than once within one year.