RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia, the ownership and supervision of private health institutions will be limited to only local people. The rule will apply to all private health institutions including hospitals, clinics and laboratories. The Council of Ministers has approved the amendments in this regard.
The decision to limit the ownership and supervisory responsibilities to indigenous people is based on the new amendments made to the Private Health Institutions Act. The new rule will be applicable to all private health institutions including medical complexes, laboratories, radiology centers, surgery centers, hospitals and clinics. But there is an exemption for international health centers and hospitals and their branches. Also, the new rules will not apply to foreign investment companies and entities currently operating in the country.
The terms are specific to institutions belonging to different categories. According to the new change, the native owner of the establishment should be a doctor or professional with expertise in the respective field. And there is a condition that he should be a full-time supervisor in the same institution. But if any one of these rules cannot be fulfilled, it is permissible to appoint a foreigner as a supervisor subject to conditions.