JAZAN: The health department here has banned employees from logging on to social media sites during work hours, saying it distracts them from doing their work.

Mohammad Abdulali, director general of the department, said in a statement carried by local media that the decision was taken because employees need to be focused on patient care.

He said this was in line with current legislation, which requires all workers to take responsibility for their jobs. The order only allows employees to make work-related or emergency calls.

Abdulali said the staff working in intensive care units, surgery theaters and clinics have been targeted by the order. Failure to comply would result in severe penalties, he said.

Meanwhile, sources said that the director of Abu Areesh hospital Ali Sadran canceled “illegal” posts created by the former director of the hospital, including assistant medical services and deputy assistant. Those people given these jobs have now been sent back to their previous posts.

The source said there would be a special system at the hospital emergency section to prevent overcrowding of patients.