An expatriate female doctor was arrested for performing abortions illegally in a clinic she runs in a famous private medical complex in Riyadh. In cooperation with the security authorities, the Ministry of Health (MoH) officials arrested the doctor and her female assistant during a raid.

Inspection teams from the MoH found that the abortions were not in accordance with the Kingdom's rules and regulations. After receiving information that the doctor was performing abortions without meeting the minimum medical and health requirements, ministry officials inspected the clinic.

The Riyadh Ministry of Health's compliance team raided the facility after secret negotiations with the doctor posing as a customer for illegal abortions. In exchange for SR8000, the doctor agreed to perform the abortion. Together with the security officials, the designated MoH teams raided the facility and arrested the doctor and her assistant.

Medical equipment for abortion and expired medical instruments were seized by the MoH compliance teams. She and her assistant have been referred to the Public Prosecution for violating Article 28 of the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions. Penalties for the violation include imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or a fine of not more than SR100,000.

Also, the compliance teams referred the medical complex to the committee that investigates private health care violations.

It reiterated that it would continue to inspect health facilities to ensure that health requirements and patient safety standards are being met. In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed that it will not tolerate any shortcomings that impact the health and safety of citizens and residents, and that it will continue to take legal action and impose maximum penalties on health institutions that fail to meet the required standards of quality.

All health violations will be handled confidentially by the ministry's number 937.