The Ministry of Health has issued a stern warning to private hospitals that charge fees for administrative work such as opening a patient file.

Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said in a statement on Saturday that such charges went against private hospital regulations and the executive by-laws governing them. Al-Rabeeah called on health affairs directors across the Kingdom’s provinces and governorates to monitor administrative practices in private health establishments.

He added that violators would be summoned before a committee and issued a maximum term punishment if found guilty of such practices, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The minister also called on patients who are being asked to pay admin fees for opening a file to fax their complaints to 0112124196 or to send an e-mail on www.moh.gov.sa.