The Ministry of Health is developing mechanism to validate health practitioners’ qualifications and certifications, said a official at the Health Affairs Department in Jeddah.

The move comes in the wake of steps undertaken by the ministry to curtail the number of fake certificates and unqualified health practitioners working in the Kingdom.

Sami Badawood, director of Health Affairs in Jeddah, told local media that in a meeting held by the chairman of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialists, it was decided that health practitioners who want to work in the Kingdom will have to obtain a prior approval and will have to pass the commission’s examination. Licenses will be automatically renewed on an annual basis duly approved by the commission.

“The commission will approach the concerned university to verify the applicant’s credentials if the health practitioner holds certification from an acknowledged university abroad,” said Badawood.

He stressed that the ministry is keen on regularizing and monitoring the validity of certificates of Saudi and non-Saudi health practitioners, whether doctors, nurses or technicians.

“The Ministry of Health will authenticate their documents and ensure that they have passed the theoretical and practical tests in their field of specialty before classifying and granting them certificates for practicing the profession,” he added.