A complaint has been lodged with the Board of Grievances by a group of Saudi nurses against the Ministry of Civil Services and the Commission for Health Specialties for not recognizing their diplomas. The Board of Grievances postponed the hearing for a month after repeated absence of representatives from the Ministry of Civil Service and the Commission for Health Specialties. The nurses complained that they were not considered for appointment in public health facilities and referred to the private sector because the title mentioned in their diploma says “Private Hospital Health Assistant.” They are demanding the ministry to accept their diplomas as qualification to work in public hospitals and the commission to change the title of their diplomas to Hospital Health Assistant. However, the Commission for Health Specialties has refused to amend the title and the ministry has rejected their appointment plea. The Board of Grievances, according to sources, termed the ministry's stand unjustified as there is no difference between working in a public or a private hospital so long as the worker has a degree or diploma matching the vocation. The nurses – Eida Al-Mowallad, Tahani Areshi, Sabah Muhammad and Fatimah Edrees – said the Ministry of Civil Services, the Commission for Health Specialties are buying time by avoiding Board hearings. But the sources claim that the Board was expected to deliver its verdict in absentia.
