Have Hospitals for Saudis Run by Saudis, and Hospitals for Expats Run by Expats
The author of the article “The increasing number of expats is a worry for Saudi society” (May 8) may feel that he has a valid point. He says that expats “occupy hospital beds meant for Saudis who are in dire need of medical care”. The solution is quite simple. I propose that hospitals for Saudi nationals be run by only Saudi medical staff and that hospitals for expats be run entirely by expats. If expats are a burden and scourge on Saudi Arabian society then surely Saudi nationals will have the better deal in this proposition.
Omar, Online response
I am an expatriate consultant physician working in a tertiary care government hospital that provides care exclusively to its Saudi dependents. The horrendous waiting time for patients to be seen in my hospital which was originally built and managed by expatriates has nothing to do with expats but is because of the poor management and failure to utilize resources of the Saudi administration.
Hina, Online response
It is indeed sad to see such a piece being written. There is probably much that can be said but making the following points should suffice: Are hospital beds meant for a specific nationality? Is preference being given to expatriates over Saudis in the provision of services? Is it not possible for the local workforce to compete with expatriates with regard to competence in work? There is more that can be said, but let’s just live as a family on the land that belongs to the Creator of us all.
Saad, Online response
If Saudis are strong enough to manage their country’s resources, then they don’t need expats at all. But the fact is, they just have the resources and use the talent and brains of expats to use these resources for their own benefit. We expats work hard to give the people of this country the best in life and in return, we also have the right to benefits like health insurance.
John, Online response