The Director of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province, Dr. Tariq Al-Salim, has issued a circular warning workers at hospitals and health centers that any failure to abide by uniform guidelines will be punished. The circular said that no one, whether department heads or staff, would be exempt from punishment, and noted among observed violations clothes displaying images and slogans running counter to religion, jeans, and clothes of a see-through, tight or revealing nature. A failure to display name tags was also cited. Women, the circular said, should completely cover their hair as stipulated in Shariah, and jewelry, accessories, nail polish and make-up are banned. Staff are permitted, however, to wear watches and rings on fingers. It was also reminded that a Health Affairs committee carries out routine inspections to ensure that health staff abide by regulations.
