Health ministry: Sick leave only after medical assessment; zero tolerance for misuse

The Ministry of Health in Riyadh has issued a strong stance on sick leave regulations, emphasizing that such leave is only granted following a medical assessment and not at the patient's discretion. A physician determines the necessity of leave based on the patient's actual condition and its impact on their ability to work or perform daily tasks. The length of leave is then set according to the diagnosed health condition and aligns with the authority granted to physicians and healthcare entities.

Any requests exceeding a physician's authority necessitate approval from higher medical authorities, such as specialized committees or relevant medical bodies, adhering to approved guidelines and timeframes. The ministry stresses that sick leave must be obtained exclusively through authorized healthcare entities after a thorough medical evaluation.

Patients can monitor their leave electronically via the Sehhaty app and verify its legitimacy through the inquiry service on the Seha platform. Users must ensure they are accessing the official platform and that the leave details are accurate, rather than trusting a copy of a document or QR codes that might lead to fraudulent sites.

Illegal practices include issuing sick leave without proper medical grounds, falsifying medical records to justify the leave, granting leave through unauthorized personnel or entities, aiding patients in acquiring unwarranted benefits, and forging sick leave documents or their contents. These actions are subject to legal consequences, with the ministry overseeing medical procedures for issuing sick leave, conducting audits of healthcare facilities, analyzing sick leave data, and monitoring compliance among practitioners and facilities.

Healthcare practitioners are accountable for the integrity of the process, requiring them to adhere to regulations, perform accurate medical assessments, document conditions correctly, and stay within their authorized scope and approved duration limits. Violating the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions by assisting patients in obtaining undeserved or unlawful benefits can result in a fine of up to SR50,000.

They may also face license revocation and removal from the register of licensed practitioners. The Anti-Forgery Law imposes a prison term of up to one year and a fine of up to SR100,000 for forging or issuing false medical reports or certificates, with liability extending to healthcare facilities involved in such activities. The ministry urges the public to report such practices to its unified call center at 937 and reaffirms its dedication to ongoing oversight and legal action against violators to maintain the credibility of sick leave certificates and safeguard public interest.