JEDDAH: About 15,000 names are on the list of persons who are totally or temporarily prevented from working in the health sector in Saudi Arabia. They failed to meet the minimal qualifications in medical specializations during an examination of professional evaluation conducted by the Saudi Authority for Medical Specialization.
“This procedure which is a prerequisite for granting licenses to those working in health care has been applied to Saudis and foreigners working in the health sector in the Kingdom,” the head of the authority said.
The official said the professional evaluation had been made a condition not only for obtaining licenses and registration but also for obtaining or renewing iqamas (residence permits).
The announcement was made at an open meeting on Sunday at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) with the holders of medical licenses and owners of pharmacies in Makkah province.
Dr. Khaled Zafar, director of health affairs in the province, told the meeting that a decision had been made to unify the procedures for issuing medical licenses in all cities of the province with a view to promoting and facilitating the work of public and private medical establishments.
During the gathering, which was also attended by JCCI Secretary-General Ahmad Kamal Sabri, a special Internet site for medical licenses was launched.
Sabri said the new site would save time for investors in the health sector who will not have to come to the department of licenses in the chamber beginning from next year.
“All procedures to obtain medical licenses can be carried out electronically on this site,” he explained.
Yousef Al-Harithy, chairman of the Pharmacies Committee in the JCCI, said the unification of procedures for issuing medical licenses all over the Kingdom was an important step that would eliminate many difficulties facing investors.
Al-Harithy praised the work of the committee, which began work last year. He said it had been able to resolve many problems the owners of pharmacies faced.
