RIYADH — The Ministry of Health announced the arrest of a number of health practitioners for publishing indecent videos on social media. The arrests were made in Riyadh, Jazan and Tabuk, and the detained persons will be referred to the competent authorities to take the necessary legal measures against them. The ministry, in cooperation with relevant authorities, confirmed that all necessary legal measures will be taken against the erring health practitioners. The arrests were made following the detection of a number of violations committed by health practitioners through posting indecent and obscene footages via social media platforms. The ministry monitored a group of video clips that contradict the ethics of the profession and health regulations. The ministry cited that the violations included publishing inappropriate and obscene behaviors, words and phrases, in addition to violating work policies and mistreating beneficiaries, and appearing in an inappropriate video clip along with an inpatient. This measure comes within the efforts of the Ministry of Health to ensure compliance with the professional regulations and rules in health work, as well as to enhance the efficiency of health practitioners, based on its supervisory role to achieve the highest levels of quality in the provided health services and to protect the rights of patients. The ministry stressed the importance of adhering to the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions and its executive regulations, which oblige the health practitioner to practice his profession for the benefit of the individual and society within the framework of respecting the human right to life, safety and dignity. The Health Practitioner Ethics Guide issued by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties includes prohibiting the photographing of patients or parts of them except in specific cases such as conducting scientific research. The penalty for such violation may reach the cancellation of the health practitioner's license. The health practitioner is also prohibited - in cases other than those specified in the executive regulations - from advertising himself or promoting himself directly or through mediator. The ministry also indicated that the penalties under the Anti-Cybercrime Law include imprisonment for a period of five years and a fine of up to SR3 million for producing anything that would harm public values and morals.
