RIYADH, 9 March 2003 — The Ministry of Health has begun drawing up a list of doctors who are violating regulations by working in private hospitals. Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi said the list would be presented to higher authorities for action.
The move comes following a directive from Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, that doctors who have permanent jobs in government hospitals are not allowed to work in private clinics and hospitals.
The minister said the existing regulations do not allow government doctors to work in private hospitals. However, he pointed out that the ministry had won a ruling from higher authorities which allows Saudi government doctors to work evenings in their hospitals and receive payment from patients.
“This exception was sanctioned to help doctors get additional income and allow them to take care of their patients outside official working hours,” the minister told Arab News.
Shubokshi said the ministry would take action against those who violate the regulations. He has instructed the ministry to list government doctors working for private hospitals outside their working hours and ask them to follow the rule.
“If they do not comply, then their names, as well as the names of the private institutions where they work, will be forwarded to higher authorities.
Shubokshi said the ministry has instructed all private hospitals and clinics not to sign contracts with government doctors unless the doctors have special approval from higher authorities.
The new regulation which allows Saudi doctors to work evenings in government hospitals stipulates that they can accept fees agreed upon with hospitals since some of the amount will be for hospital maintenance.
Many government hospitals in Riyadh and Jeddah have already implemented the system. Informed sources said offers by certain private hospitals have prompted some doctors to work for them in violation of the regulations.
Shubokshi also said that such expensive health services as organ and bone marrow transplants, delivery, dental care, test-tube babies and cancer treatment in government hospitals would henceforth be restricted to Saudis. Non-Saudis will have to get special permission to avail themselves of the services.
