Graduates of the Ministry of Health's diploma program in its Health College were surprised to be excluded from technical vacancies restricted to bachelor's-degree graduates of universities recognized by the Kingdom. Dr. Khaled Marghalani, Ministry of Health spokesman, who was telephoned several times to address the issue, did not return calls. A number of graduates in Ar'ar said that while they hold diplomas in specializations related to pharmacology, nursing and laboratories, they are excluded from technical jobs and are not being employed in health facilities. Maher Ayid Al-Anezi, who holds a degree in pharmacology, said he has worked for two years in a shop selling eyeglasses, and that the Ministry of Health has appointed graduates of private health institutes without justification for doing so. Nasser Al-Dahmash, who holds the same degree, has been working since graduation in the sheep trade after failing to get a job in the health sector. He said the Ministry of Health had promised to employ health graduates in its facilities and reneged on its promise. Ahmad Al-Salmi, a third pharmacology degree-holder, works as a security guard in a private company and wonders why the ministry refuses to employ those who earned the appropriate diplomas and possess qualifications for health jobs. Several men – Faisal Thani, Ahmad Khalaf Al-Jihani, Khaled Ramadan Al-Anezi, Farhan Nafea Al-Ruwaili and Ahmad Assaf – said continuing their studies to obtain a bachelor's degree is a difficult matter that involves a complicated procedure for approval of applications. The men said they will go to the Board of Grievances and file a lawsuit against the ministry if it does not employ health diploma graduates, which they say it had promised to do. The men said they have official documents proving the pledge.
