Due to financial claims, medical organizations are not allowed to withhold bodies or patients.

The Directorate General of Health Affairs in Riyadh has issued a warning against concealing identifying documents, deceased patients, or deceased remains because of financial claims.

The handing over of bodies, or the discharge of patients and newborns, is stated to be a right of the person themselves, or their guardian, or the deceased family, and it is not conditional on any financial procedure, according to Article 30 of the Private Health Institution Law and its executive regulation.

The keeping of deceased bodies, withholding of newborns and patients without allowing them to leave the hospital, and keeping of identifying documents in exchange for financial obligations are all prohibited by law for health institutions.

The Ministry of Health has acknowledged that it is carrying out monitoring tours and reporting infringers to the appropriate committees of the healthcare facility in order to take proactive steps to collect their debts on a regular basis.

Additionally, it has urged everyone to report any violations by dialing 937.