COVID-19: Saudi patients can now travel for treatment

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has approved the protocol for patients whose treatment requires travel outside the kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported today.

Patients wishing to travel abroad for treatment at their own expense need to meet certain conditions set by the ministry. First, the patient must obtain an acceptance of treatment from a hospital or specialized center in a medically developed country.

Second, the patient’s case should be one that requires treatment abroad and cannot be dealt with in Saudi Arabia, according to a recent medical report approved by the ministry.

The case should also meet medical conditions approved by the Saudi Supreme Medical Commission to receive treatment abroad.

Patients who are referred to hospitals outside the kingdom at the expense of the state must obtain a royal order or a resolution issued by the Supreme Medical Commission, and can be accompanied by a maximum of two people.

However, the commission can decide on the number of companions based on each case.

The ministry said that it will study the applications and electronically forward those accepted to the General Directorate of Passports at the Ministry of Interior to obtain necessary permits.

All applications can be completed digitally via the “Absher” government platform.