Hospital demands SR400,000 from non-Saudi patient

Saudi Gazette report   MAKKAH — A government hospital has asked a citizen to pay SR400,000 for the treatment of her father because he was not a Saudi, Makkah daily reported. Al-Noor Specialist Hospital Director Dr. Ayman Yamani said the Ministry of Health was responsible for providing free healthcare to Saudis only. “The daughter is a Saudi but her father is an Asian resident. He has been admitted to the hospital five months ago after being injured in a road accident. The patient has been unconscious and has been put under intensive care,” said Yamani. The official also said the elderly patient shows no signs of improvement and needs to remain in the hospital for some more time. “The treatments offered by the hospital are not free of cost. With citizens, the hospital covers the cost through financial aid directorates under the ministry. However, when it comes to non-Saudis, the ministry covers the cost in some and not all cases,” said Yamani. He added the daughter must pay up the money or else the hospital will not release the father and the treatment cost will increase. The daughter, aged 35 years old, said her 65-year-old father's condition was critical. “It’s been five months and his condition is not improving. I cannot pay SR400,000 and my father still needs medical treatment. The hospital advised me to seek out charities and organizations that can cover the cost,” said the daughter. She also said she earned a grant from the Center of Comprehensive Rehabilitation which enables her to have cost-free medical treatment. “I tried to use the grant for my father but the hospital refused it. They said the grant was given to me as a Saudi and not to my father. I don’t know how can I pay up the money required,” said the distraught daughter.