The Saudi Ministry of Health announced its official working hours for all its health facilities during the holy month of Ramadan 1445 AH. The decision stipulates a single six-hour workday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, to facilitate the work of fasting healthcare staff and ensure the efficient delivery of services.
The general context for regulating working hours in Ramadan
This decision is part of an annual regulatory framework followed by Saudi Arabia and many other Muslim countries, whereby working hours in both the public and private sectors are adjusted to accommodate the special nature of the holy month. Historically, these adjustments aim to balance work demands with the increased religious and social obligations during Ramadan, allowing employees to perform their religious duties and spend more time with their families without disrupting operations in vital sectors.
Details of the decision and its importance to the health sector
The decision includes categories covered by the Civil Service Regulations and self-operating systems. However, the Ministry emphasized that staff working on a shift system are exempt from this restriction to ensure the continuity of round-the-clock healthcare provision, especially in critical departments such as emergency services, intensive care units, and inpatient wards. This exemption is of paramount importance to maintaining patient safety and addressing urgent cases that cannot be delayed, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to making the health of citizens and residents its absolute priority.
Expected impact on employees and clients
This arrangement is expected to boost the morale of healthcare professionals and alleviate their physical strain during fasting, which will positively impact the quality of care provided. For patients, advance notice of appointments provides complete clarity and helps them plan their visits to health centers and hospitals for non-emergency cases. The decision also enhances operational efficiency during peak hours and ensures that the necessary staff are available to serve patients effectively during designated working hours.
Setting my holiday dates for Founding Day and Eid al-Fitr
In a related context, the Ministry clarified that the anniversary of the Founding will be an official paid holiday for all employees in the health sector, in line with national directives to commemorate this historic occasion. The decision also specified the dates for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which will begin for Saudi employees at the end of the workday on Thursday, the 23rd of Ramadan, and continue until the end of Tuesday, the 5th of Shawwal. For non-Saudi employees, their holiday will begin on Thursday, the 30th of Ramadan, and will last for four working days, in accordance with applicable regulations.
