For a number of reasons, there are plenty of people who still view our country as a large dump. By these harsh words, I mean that goods which are unacceptable in their countries of origin manage to find their way into the Kingdom’s markets. Those responsible for this state of affairs assume — apparently correctly — that since nobody takes the trouble to look at what is in the dump it will always be easy to flood our markets with cheap, substandard products. Unfortunately, those responsible are not alone.

There are Saudis who are shameless in their help with this dangerous and illegal practice. Foodstuffs not fit for human consumption continue to appear in our shops and are being sold while nobody seems to care. Vehicles that stand no chance of being sold in the country where they were manufactured decorate our car showrooms and people line up to buy them. Again, nobody cares.

Sadder still is the presence of large numbers of people who have now taken up professions they knew nothing about before coming to the Kingdom. They are successful in their deceit because of those who bring them here and who then shelter and protect them.

Worst of all, however, is the half-educated individuals who come here in order to practice medicine. Plain and simple, this is a tragedy. Who knows how many lives have been lost? Who knows how much needless damage and suffering has been inflicted?

Nonetheless, there is hope. The Ministry of Health should be commended for courageously admitting it has discovered some 1,000 doctors with faked and forged academic qualifications; barring them from medical practice will no doubt save many lives. As far as I know, this was the first time that a ministry felt no embarrassment in taking so bold a step and openly admitting the number of fake doctors practicing in the Kingdom.

The terrible mafia which controls visas and forged documents and which trade in human misery and suffering has been exposed.

The ministry did not resort to the usual practice of defending its employees to prove its innocence. By being honest with the public and showing transparency, a precedent has been set. We hope it will serve both as a warning to criminals and as an example to other ministries on how they should behave.

Arab News From the Local Press 5 January 2003