Saudi MoH warns against fake sick leaves, imposes jail, SAR 100,000 fine

The Ministry of Health (MoH) warned against engaging with social media accounts that promote fraudulent sick leaves, emphasizing that such practices are criminal offenses subject to legal penalties.

This warning is part of the ministry’s regulatory efforts to enhance the digital healthcare system and ensure compliance with regulations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ministry stated today, March 9, that penalties apply to anyone issuing false or misleading medical reports. Punishments include up to one year in prison and a fine of up to SAR 100,000.

The ministry clarified that the official method for obtaining sick leaves is through the Sehhaty platform, which ensures the reliability of medical reports and facilitates seamless communication between employees, employers, and healthcare providers. This process upholds the highest standards of transparency and quality in healthcare services.

It urged individuals to be cautious of fraudulent accounts offering unauthorized services, stressing the importance of using the Sehhaty platform to guarantee the authenticity of reports and proper procedures.

The ministry also noted that it regularly reviews sick leave records and cross-checks them with beneficiaries' medical histories through a digital platform to enhance efficiency and ensure appropriate use.

Additionally, the ministry reminded healthcare practitioners of their responsibility to issue sick leaves only to eligible patients based on their medical condition, while adhering to professional ethics and medical accountability.