A health practice license in Al-Qunfudhah was revoked for photographing patients with lasers
The Saudi Ministry of Health announced that it has taken decisive regulatory measures against a health practitioner in Al-Qunfudhah Governorate, after detecting a serious professional and ethical violation that involved filming a number of female patients while they were undergoing laser hair removal sessions inside a dermatology clinic, and publishing those clips via social media platforms.
The ministry clarified that this action constitutes a clear violation of the "Health Professions Practice Law" and its implementing regulations, which emphasize the protection of patient privacy and the confidentiality of their information. Accordingly, the necessary legal procedures were completed and the prescribed penalties were applied, including the revocation of the offending professional license and the imposition of a financial penalty. This step reflects the ministry's zero-tolerance policy towards any practices that infringe upon the rights of those receiving healthcare services.
Regulatory context and protection of patients' rights
These procedures are based on the robust legal framework governing the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, most notably the Law Regulating the Practice of Healthcare Professions. This law emphasizes that maintaining patient confidentiality and protecting personal information is a fundamental duty of every healthcare practitioner, and that such information may not be disclosed or exploited for any purpose, including advertising or marketing, without the patient's explicit written consent. This incident underscores the importance of healthcare institutions and practitioners adhering to ethical and professional standards, especially given the increasing use of social media as a marketing tool in the cosmetic and dermatological sectors.
The importance of the procedure and its impact on the health sector
The significance of this decision lies in its strong deterrent message to all healthcare practitioners and facilities in the Kingdom. It underscores that regulatory bodies, represented by the Ministry of Health, are closely monitoring practices in the private sector and will deal firmly with any violations. Locally in Al-Qunfudhah, this measure strengthens public trust in the healthcare system and reassures patients that their privacy is strongly protected by law. Nationally, the decision contributes to raising awareness of the rights and responsibilities of both service providers and recipients, and enhances the quality and reliability of healthcare services, particularly in the rapidly growing field of cosmetic procedures.
Ongoing monitoring efforts
The Ministry of Health continues to strengthen its oversight efforts through ongoing field visits to all healthcare facilities to ensure their compliance with approved regulations and requirements. The Ministry called upon all healthcare practitioners and institutions to fully adhere to professional and regulatory standards, emphasizing that it will not hesitate to impose penalties on anyone who violates these regulations in order to protect public health and ensure the provision of safe and reliable healthcare for citizens and residents alike.
