Only Saudis can own and run private clinics

Private clinics should be owned and supervised by Saudi citizens, according to a decision taken by the Cabinet in its weekly meeting held at the Yamamah Palace yesterday. The meeting was presided over by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense. The Cabinet took this decision about private medical establishments, excepting hospitals, after making necessary amendments to the existing regulations. The new regulations governing private medical complex, medical laboratory, scanning or X-ray center, or a center where single-day surgery is conducted, also stipulates that the Saudi owner should be a specialized doctor and should supervise the unit full time. However, a non-Saudi doctor can undertake the supervising duty only if a Saudi doctor is not available. It also stipulated that the medical director of a hospital should be a qualified Saudi. “Administration of health units should also be undertaken by Saudis with appropriate qualifications,” Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja said after the meeting. The Cabinet also decided to take steps to relocate factories that are operating in nonindustrial areas to industrial cities. One or more committees will be set up to prepare a list and gather detailed information about the factories that are operating in non-industrial areas. After examining each case, the committee will make recommendations such as allowing a factory to remain in its existing location or to be moved to another site. The Cabinet also directed the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to allocate land for future factories. Sourse: ArabNews