The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, announced the issuance of decisions to raise the localization rates for four health professions in the private sector, including the profession of radiology by 65%, the profession of medical laboratories by 70%, the profession of therapeutic nutrition by 80%, and the profession of physiotherapy by 80%, as these decisions come within the efforts of the two ministries aimed at providing more stimulating and productive job opportunities for citizens in various regions of the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Health explained that the mechanism for implementing the decisions will be carried out in two phases, as the first phase begins 6 months after the issuance of the decisions, on 19/10/1446 AH corresponding to 17/04/2025 AD, where the decisions shall be applied to all major cities facilities (Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam, Al Khobar), and large and giant facilities in other regions; while the second phase will begin 12 months after the issuance of the decisions, on 25/4/1447 AH corresponding to 17/10/2025 AD, where the decisions shall be applied to all facilities in all regions of the Kingdom.

The decisions to raise the rates of localization of health professions represented in (medical laboratories - radiology - therapeutic nutrition - physiotherapy) represent a continuation of previous decisions to localize health professions; in order to achieve the objectives of the labor market strategy and the health sector transformation program in supporting national competencies and enabling young men and women to have job opportunities. The decision also aims to enable national cadres in the health sector to obtain qualitative and attractive job opportunities in all regions of the Kingdom. The Ministry of Health will supervise the follow-up of implementation in line with the requirements of the labor market and the specialties of health professions.

Private sector establishments will also benefit from the incentives and support programs provided by the Human Resources and Social Development System to assist the establishments in employing Saudis, which include: supporting the recruitment process and searching for suitable workers, supporting the necessary training and qualification process, supporting the employment process and career continuity, as well as priority access to all localization support programs available at the system, and support and employment programs through the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF).
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issued a procedural guide explaining the details of localization and the required professions and ratios on the ministry's website, stressing the need for establishments to adhere to the provisions in order to avoid the regulatory penalties that will be applied to violators.