Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has declared that issuing or submitting fraudulent sick leave reports is a criminal offence, carrying a penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of SR 100,000 ($26,600).
The announcement follows rising concerns over social media accounts advertising unauthorised medical leave services. The ministry has urged the public to refrain from using such platforms, stressing that they operate illegally and will face legal action.
“The Sehhaty platform is the only authorised source for issuing official sick leave reports,” the ministry stated. “Any report obtained through other channels is deemed invalid and subject to legal consequences.”
To prevent misuse, health authorities have implemented a digital monitoring system that verifies medical leave reports against patients’ health records. This initiative seeks to enhance compliance and detect fraudulent claims in real time.
Additionally, the ministry reminded healthcare professionals of their ethical and legal responsibilities, cautioning that doctors issuing sick leave without valid medical grounds could face disciplinary measures and legal repercussions.
