Article 11 of the Saudi Health Law

This article opens the door to transferring ownership of some government hospitals to the private sector.

What is permitted? Transferring ownership of some Ministry of Health hospitals to the private sector.

How?

• On a proposal from the Minister (the Minister of Health).
• And by decision of the Council of Ministers.

The nature of the provision: the text says "may", so this is a discretionary power and not an obligation. It also speaks of "some" hospitals, not all of them.

This is consistent with the definition of "providing health care" in Article 1, which makes it an assurance that care exists without necessarily meaning that the State provides or funds it directly, except as the Law's articles provide. The transfer of ownership of a hospital to the private sector is therefore not in itself inconsistent with the Law's aim.

The article does not address the conditions or method of the transfer or its effect on workers or patients; these are matters the text does not mention, and reference should be made to the Council of Ministers' decision and the relevant laws.

This article ties in with Article 10 on the methods of funding health care services, and with Article 12 on the education and training of the health team.

Anyone who needs an opinion on a particular situation would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in health laws or administrative cases.