Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Medical institutions in Saudi Arabia have been obligated to publish the prices of its services online through their own official websites.

This decision has been announced after Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel approved the amendments of the Health Institutions Law' executive regulations, which includes several adjustment.

It is worth mentioning that the approved amendments will be implemented as of the date of their publication in the official newspaper, in addition to the cancellation of all previous decisions that contradict them.

The amendments on the executive regulations of the health institutions law will also be applied to charities and existing Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), or on those who are wishing to open private health institutions.

The amendments of the Health Institutions Law' executive regulations that was approved by Al- Jalajel were:

1 - Adding, adjusting and canceling of some requirements such as the requirements that are required to be met by the medical director in health institutions; in addition to the technical supervisor duties; managing director; the conditions that are related to the licensing of medical complexes; the terms and conditions of medical laboratory; radiology departments; health support services; license renewal.

2 - It is required that the medical director in private institutions to be a Saudi.

3 - The dentist is allowed to occupy the position of medical director in the specialized dental hospitals.

4 - Patients' files should be opened in hospitals for free.

5 - Requiring medical institutions to publish the prices of their services online through their official websites.

6 - It is forbidden to offer discounts in the prices of services provided by the institution, or to publish promotional offers by any advertising means, without getting the approval of the Health Ministry.

7 - It is required that the owner of the medical clinic be a Saudi doctor who specializes in the way it works, supervises it and is fully dedicated to it.

8 - A full-time supervisor must be present in every medical complex, radiology center or surgery center during the day for this purpose.

9 - It is required to have maternity suites that include at least two rooms and are equipped for natural childbirth and also enjoy privacy, in addition to providing midwives for the active phase of childbirth. As well as an operating room equipped for caesarean sections.

10 - It is required to provide a room for newborns, as well as a room for children who have growth problems such as stunted children, with no less than 20% of the total beds in the maternity ward.