Health Ministry outlines sick leave rules, warns against fraud

The Ministry of Health has clarified that sick leave is granted based on approved regulations and procedures, relying on a medical assessment of the beneficiary’s health condition. Leave is not issued upon personal request or preference, but rather according to an actual need determined by a specialist physician and the extent to which the condition affects the ability to work or perform daily activities.

The ministry stated that the duration of sick leave is set according to the health condition and medical diagnosis, and within the authority granted to physicians and healthcare institutions. Sick leave exceeding a physician’s authority requires additional approval from specialized doctors, committees, or medical boards, depending on the duration and established regulations.

The Health Ministry emphasized the importance of obtaining sick leave from authorized healthcare providers and only after a medical evaluation following official procedures. It noted that electronically issued leave is available through the “Sehhaty” app, urging beneficiaries to verify the validity of leave certificates via the inquiry service on the “Seha” platform, and not to rely solely on document images or QR codes from unofficial sites.

The ministry explained that violations include issuing leave without medical justification, tampering with medical records, issuing leave from unauthorized entities, facilitating undue benefits, or forging leave certificates and their data. It stressed that such violations are subject to legal accountability.

The ministry said its oversight activities include reviewing medical procedures, conducting field audits of healthcare facilities, analyzing leave data, and monitoring compliance by institutions and practitioners as part of its awareness campaign.

The Health Ministry underscored the responsibility of healthcare professionals to issue leave appropriately, adhere to regulations and professional medical assessment, document cases accurately, and comply with their defined authority, noting that this protects the rights of all parties and limits misuse.

The ministry confirmed that regulations stipulate penalties for violations. The Health Professions Practice Law imposes fines of up to 50,000 riyals (SAR), with possible license revocation and removal from the register. The Anti-Forgery Law provides for imprisonment of up to one year and fines of up to 100,000 riyals for those who forge or issue false medical reports or certificates, with healthcare facilities involved also held legally accountable.

The Health Ministry urged the public to report violations via the unified call center (937), affirming its ongoing oversight efforts and commitment to taking legal action against offenders to maintain the integrity of sick leave and protect the public interest.