Roya investigation uncovers secrets behind illegal beauty clinics in Jordan

As demand for cosmetic procedures surges, unlicensed clinics are exploiting women’s desires with deceptive social media promotions and attractive prices.

Roya exposed serious violations in the cosmetic surgery sector, revealing that some clinics, despite being uncovered, continue to operate and deceive more victims with dangerous and unapproved substances.

One recent victim recounted her experience with a so-called beauty clinic. She said, "I was living abroad and, upon arriving in Jordan, I saw an ad on social media from a woman claiming to be a doctor. Her clinic looked luxurious, and she convinced me to try body filler, claiming it was safe because she and her daughters used it."

She continued, "I took pictures of the doctor’s credentials and the substance she used and sent them to a friend who is also a doctor. My friend had never heard of this doctor. The doctor attributed the unusually low prices to the winter season."

The victim returned to the clinic two months later, feeling unwell. The doctor offered free sessions and remarked that ‘beauty has its price.’ After another injection, the victim experienced severe swelling.

She consulted three other cosmetic specialists, who were shocked to find that the substance was nearly plastic and caused fibrous lumps.

Further investigation revealed that the materials used were not approved by the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) and that the so-called doctor was unlicensed, with a history of complications.

The victim’s attempts to resolve the issue with the fake doctor were met with threats and denial. Complaints to the Ministry of Health revealed that the clinic had been closed multiple times but continued to operate, and no follow-up was conducted on her complaint.

When the victim approached the Jordan Medical Association (JMA), it was confirmed that the doctor was not licensed. The victim then sued for impersonation, fraud, and harm using unlicensed materials, with forensic medicine confirming the use of unapproved substances.

Dr. Maha Fakhoury, a board member of the JMA, reported that officials inspected the clinic in the Sweifieh area of Amman after receiving a complaint from a patient who needed dialysis due to complications from liposuction.

"We were shocked to find that all prescriptions were under the doctor's name and that some devices were improperly used. For instance, a suction device used for dental procedures was being used for liposuction," Dr. Fakhoury stated.

Dr. Fakhoury emphasized the severity of impersonating a doctor, noting that while the law provides for punishment, the association continued to receive multiple complaints about the same individual.

Dr. Suzan Bakhit, a cosmetic surgery specialist, highlighted that Jordan has around 75 certified plastic surgeons, but over 1,000 individuals claiming to offer similar services on social media.

She criticized the lack of regulation and the frequent complaints about complications from unlicensed procedures, calling for urgent intervention from authorities.

In response to the handling of such cases, Dr. Ikhlas Jamous, Director of the Licensing Department at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the clinic was operating illegally with unqualified personnel.

Despite being closed four times, it continued to operate.

Dr. Jamous added that the impersonating "doctor" was referred to the public prosecutor following the latest closure request on July 17, 2024.