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The Ministry of Interior stated that its Criminal Investigation Department, working in coordination with relevant authorities from the Ministry of Public Health, apprehended the three individuals of European nationality after receiving information about medical and cosmetic services being offered inside an unlicensed location. Investigators verified the tip, secured the required approval from the Public Prosecution and caught the suspects in the act of performing the procedures. The ministry’s statement added that all three confessed to carrying out the unlicensed activities.
According to the Ministry of Interior statement, a search conducted during the operation uncovered numerous devices, tools and medical supplies that had been used to perform the services. The three suspects together with all confiscated items were referred to the competent Public Prosecution to complete standard legal procedures. The statement formed part of a joint announcement issued by both the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health.
The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health urged the public in their joint statement not to follow advertisements promoting medical or cosmetic services before confirming that the private facilities and the practitioners hold valid licenses from the competent authorities. This verification helps protect public safety and prevents dealings with unauthorized providers. The appeal reflects ongoing regulatory coordination between the two ministries on healthcare compliance matters.
This arrest continues a pattern of enforcement actions by Qatari authorities against unlicensed healthcare practices. The Ministry of Public Health announced in January 2026 the apprehension of five unlicensed individuals practising specialised cosmetic medical activities in a beauty salon, according to a ministry statement at the time. A further operation in April 2026 saw the Ministry of Public Health take action against three unlicensed practitioners at a private health centre, with legal measures pursued against both the individuals and the facility.
The Ministry of Public Health has repeatedly emphasised in its announcements that the eligibility of any healthcare practitioner in Qatar can be checked through the electronic service “Find a Registered Healthcare Practitioner” available on the ministry’s official website. Previous statements from the ministry have encouraged residents to use this tool before seeking treatment. Such digital verification forms one element of broader oversight efforts that include regular inspection visits by the Department of Healthcare Professions.
In a related development earlier in August 2026, the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department at the Ministry of Public Health issued a circular banning the trading, use or promotion of various unlicensed peptide products marketed for cosmetic or performance purposes, a ministry statement showed. These regulatory steps align with the ministries’ stated focus on maintaining standards across the healthcare sector. The latest case involving the three European nationals has been handled under the same framework of inter-agency cooperation.
