The Saudi Foreign Ministry added: "The Kingdom views the Canadian position as an affront to the Kingdom that requires a sharp response to prevent any party from attempting to meddle with Saudi sovereignty.” In her first public response to the escalating situation with Saudi Arabia, Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the North American country was "seriously concerned" about the Kingdom’s actions, and is "seeking greater clarity". Washington "raised" the case with Riyadh, she said, adding: "The United States has respect for internationally recognised freedoms and also individual liberties. State news agency SPA said Riyadh had stopped sending patients to Canadian hospitals and “is coordinating for the transfer of all Saudi patients from Canadian hospitals ... according to directives by the leadership.”

It was unclear how many Saudi patients would be affected by the decision and how many were covered by the kingdom’s health care system.
Saudi Press Agency reports that all Saudi patients are being transferred from Canadian hospitals to other medical facilities outside Canada.