Article 15 of the Saudi Health Law
المادة 15 من النظام الصحي
The article makes the Ministry of Health the body responsible for applying the Law in what does not fall within the jurisdiction of another body.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الوزارة هي الجِهة المسئولة عن تطبيق هذا النِظام فيما لا يدخُل في اختصاصات جهة أخرى.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 15 explained in plain English
This article identifies the body responsible for applying the Health Law.
The rule: the Ministry of Health is the body responsible for applying this Law.
The limit: "in what does not fall within the jurisdiction of another body". If a matter falls within the jurisdiction of another body, the Ministry does not take it on under this article.
Why this limit? Because health services in the Kingdom are not provided by the Ministry of Health alone. Article 16, for example, mentions among the members of the Health Services Council representatives of the health services of the Presidency of the National Guard, the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, the Ministry of Interior and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, and a representative of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, and others. Each body has its own jurisdiction, which this article does not affect.
In practical terms the Ministry is the primary body for applying the Law, and its jurisdiction recedes where another body has jurisdiction. The article does not specify these other jurisdictions, so reference should be made to the laws specific to those bodies.
This article ties in with Article 14 on care for pilgrims, and Article 16, which establishes the Health Services Council.
Anyone who needs an opinion on a particular situation would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in health laws or administrative cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 15 of the Saudi Health Law
Which body is responsible for applying the Health Law?
The Ministry of Health, in what does not fall within the jurisdiction of another body.
Does the Ministry of Health apply the Law to all health bodies?
The article limits its responsibility to what does not fall within the jurisdiction of another body.
More articles on Definitions and Objectives of the Health Law
- Article 1
The article defines the terms used in the Health Law, including public health, primary, secondary and tertiary health care, providing health care, and the Minister, the Ministry and the Council.
يُقصد بالعِبارات والكلِمات الآتية المعاني المُبينة قرين كُل مِنها ما لم يقتضِ السياق خِلاف ذلك : 1 - الصحة العامة : منظور مُتكامِل وشامِل لصِحة الفرد والأُسرة و
- Article 2
The article states the Health Law's aim: to ensure the provision of comprehensive, integrated health care for all residents in a fair and accessible manner, and to regulate it.
يهدف هذا النظام إلى ضمان توفير الرعاية الصحية الشامِلة المُتكامِلة لجميع السكان بطريقة عادِلة ومُيسرة، وتنظيمها.
- Article 18
The article requires the Minister to issue the Health Law's Implementing Regulations within a year of its publication.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام خلال عام من تاريخ نشره.
- Article 19
The article provides that the Health Law is published in the Official Gazette, takes effect ninety days after publication, and repeals all provisions that conflict with it.
ينشر هذا النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل به بعد تسعين يومًا من تاريخ نشره، ويلغي كل ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.