Article 2 of the Saudi Health Law

This article shows the purpose that the whole Health Law pursues, which is:

• Ensuring the provision of health care.
• That it be comprehensive and integrated.
• That it be for all residents.
• That it be in a fair and accessible manner.
• In addition to regulating this care.

The meaning of "providing health care": under the definition in Article 1, it is ensuring that health care exists, without that necessarily meaning that the State provides or funds it directly, except as the Law's articles provide. The aim is that care be available, whether the State or someone else provides it.

The meaning of "health care": preventive, curative and rehabilitative services at the primary, secondary and specialized levels.

"For all residents": the wording of the aim is not limited to citizens. But this does not mean that all services are provided in the same way to everyone; the article itself sets only the general aim.

In practical terms this article helps in understanding and interpreting the rest of the Law's articles, but in itself it creates no specific right to a particular service. Article 3 begins by stating what the State works on in providing health care and caring for public health.

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