Expat doctors may face the ax: Al Arabiya

Ibrahim Naffee
Expatriate doctors and specialists, who spent 10 years in the Kingdom, will not be able to renew their work/residency permits (iqama). (AP)

JEDDAH: Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has announced an 11-point plan to revamp the health sector and streamline the ministry.
According to Al Arabiya website, the newly appointed health minister wants to make all procedures electronic for effective management of all government hospitals. Doctors and specialists will not hold any administrative positions. They will instead focus on their area of expertise.
According to the report, the key part of his program revolves around expatriate doctors, consultants and specialists. As per the reported plan, expatriate doctors and specialists, who spent 10 years in the Kingdom, will not be able to renew their work/residency permits (iqama).
Expat consultants, who spent 15 years in the Kingdom, will not be able to renew their work/residency permits. Expat doctors will not be allowed to hold administrative positions.
Arab News tried to reach health officials for confirmation on Tuesday night, but there was no response. Al-Mowaten website, quoting sources, denied the existence of the plan.