I would like to tell people of the emotional torture an expatriate has to bear.I have tried my very best to perofrm to my qualifications but still the department is not happy.I realise ifI as a qualifieddoctor am treated this way I can realise how people with qualifications less than me must be treated.
I am working in a hospital inriyadh saudi arabia since 7 months. I am employed to work as a specialist in medical department at the time of signing my contract. After working 6 moths as specialist they started allotting duties in the resident rota. The department does not provide any transparent answers. The HOP department told me after 6 months of keeping me in the dark that my UK degree is not recognised. They asked me if I was willing to work as a ident and I declined. Thats when things started getting worse. They put some duties in the resident rota.
According to HOP contract I am eligible for leave after 5 months. I have applied for leave which the er department accepted but the HOP department responsible for iqama is doing nothing to help me. I informend I have a daughter who was born after I came to saudi and I did not see. I have my mother and father both 70 plus aso in India.
I have tried to contact all the necessary departments and people concerned. The people who promise a lot of help at the time of signing of the contract are no wehre to help you.
I am sad, depressed, mentally drained,humiliated and also realise that my embassy will not help me. All the igh hopes and happiness at the begining has vanished.
Sometimes I wish I get hit by a a car truck to put me out of my misery. The only thing I am thankful for is I dont have my parents or my wife and children to see the humiliation expatriates have to suffer in Saudi .
Living in saudi I have lost faith in contracts, people.
Life in saudi as a medical professional- My story
That's such a sad story. Please don't hurt yourself. Focus more on your new baby and the joy of getting to meet her. Politely ask for your passport and keep insisting that you need to see your family. I will put you in my prayer.
I could say a lot in private. Anyway, if you are an eager to progress professional and good at what you do then saudi is not the place.
That's horrible man. Just keep the faith and everything will be alright. Hurting yourself will not solve the problem, it might complicate the situation even more.
There are more terrible stories than yours !
I'll just give you one suggestion Bahrain , Qatar , Oman have better opportunities waiting for you , and at least you will be respected over there 
So sorry to hear this! Minnis is right, think of your beautiful baby to help get you through. Thinking of you
minnis wrote:That's such a sad story. Please don't hurt yourself. Focus more on your new baby and the joy of getting to meet her. Politely ask for your passport and keep insisting that you need to see your family. I will put you in my prayer.
Hi munnis, are you Nigerian? well am a nigerian doctor who was really thinking of coming over to saudi arabi for at least a year. But reading this above, am wondering , is this the norm??
Please would lime to private message you as well, really wanna know about Medical Officers Job in KSA, thanks!
My dept andr the HOP dept are keeping me in the dark. What ever I find reg me is thru some other source which may or may not be correct.
As I mentioned I have PG degree recognised by UK and India. My interview, signing contract in India and Saudi a nd my Saudi visa stamping was based on my UK degree which was stamped y Saudi Consulate and attache in UK.
Now that I am in 7th month from what I heard from other colleagues my degree is not recog by saudi council. so the hospital is in a fix and trying to pressurise me to work as a reisdent.
The HOP dept person also verbally mentioned my degree is not recog and they can only proceed with commission and iqama only if I accept to work as a resident.
Please let me know if Is this a breach of contract. Can I resign without notice based on this.
Don't be sad I am sure Almighty will help you just pray...As many have told you that there are worst cases
just hang in there Patience then you can go home and be happy with your family. Insha Allah...I will keep you in my Duas..
A proud South African.
Sorry about what you are going through, however this is not what happens generally in saudi. What hospital do you work in? Usually your iqama is issued to you at most 2 weeks after you commence work..strange to hear you are yet to get yours after 7 months. Do not despair however, keep praying and do not let depression get the better of you. Things will get better. Please for all others yet to come into the Kingdom, be sure of the recruitment agency and the organisation you are coming to work for before arriving. If the hospital management was professional they would've known what degrees are and aren't acceptable by the council before offering you the job.
Hi
Its really scary that you come there as something and do something .I have job offer and my degree is recognized now as per reading above if they say we dnt recognize than all dn we can't fight I think .leave and come back
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