Article 6 of the Saudi Health Law
المادة 6 من النظام الصحي
The article requires the State, through the Ministry, to provide an integrated network of health care services covering all regions at the three levels, with the Ministry and regional councils determining needs and locations by geography, population and disease patterns.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعمل الدولة من خِلال الوزارة على توفير شبكة مُتكامِلة من خدمات الرعاية الصحية تُغطي جميع مناطِق المملكة، وتشمل مُستويات الرعاية الصحية الأولية والثانوية والتخصُّصية، وتقوم الوزارة بالتعاون مع مجالِس المناطِق بتحديد الاحتياج ومواقِع ومُستويات تقديم هذه الرعاية وَفقًا للوضع الجُغرافي والسكاني وأنماط الأمراض السائدة في المنطقة.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article deals with the geographical distribution of health care services.
The obligation: the State works, through the Ministry of Health, on providing an integrated network of health care services that:
- covers all regions of the Kingdom.
- includes primary, secondary and specialized levels of care.
Determining needs: the Ministry, in cooperation with the regional councils, determines:
- the need,
- the locations where care is provided,
- and its levels.
The criteria: the geographical situation, the population situation, and the patterns of disease prevailing in the region.
The levels of care under the definitions in Article 1 are: primary (such as awareness, immunization, mother and child care and treatment of common diseases), secondary (general hospitals and specialist doctors), and specialized (specialized hospitals with advanced equipment).
In practical terms the distribution of health facilities is not random but built on the needs of each region. The article gives no individual a right to have a particular facility built in a particular location; it regulates general planning. Article 5 deals with the Ministry's responsibilities, and Article 7 with the administrative and financial powers of the general directorates of health affairs.
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 6 of the Saudi Health Law
Is the State obliged to provide health services in all regions?
The State works, through the Ministry, on providing an integrated network of health care services covering all regions of the Kingdom at the primary, secondary and specialized levels.
How are the locations of health facilities determined?
The Ministry determines them in cooperation with the regional councils according to the geographical and population situation and the patterns of disease prevailing in the region.
More articles on Health Directorates and Health Centers
- Article 7
The article gives each general directorate of health affairs the administrative and financial powers it needs to perform its tasks effectively, and requires the Ministry to take each region's needs into account in its budget and allocate each hospital the funds it needs.
تُعطى كل مُديرية عامة للشؤون الصحية الصلاحيات الإدارية والمالية التي تُمكِنُها مِن تأدية المهام المنوطة بِها بطريقة فعَّالة، وتُراعي الوزارة ضِمن ميزانيتِها الا
- Article 8
The article requires the general directorate of health affairs to carry out the Ministry's plans in the region, with responsibilities including running the Ministry's facilities, licensing private facilities and monitoring their quality, statistics, training and awareness.
تقوم المُديرية العامة للشؤون الصحية بتنفيذ الخطط والبرامِج التي تضعُها الوزارة في المنطقة، وتُناط بِها على وجه الخصوص المسؤوليات الآتية : 1 - ضمان توفُّر برامِج
- Article 9
The article provides that health centers belonging to the Ministry, other government bodies and the private sector provide preventive, emergency, curative and rehabilitative services and direct cases to hospitals, with details left to the Implementing Regulations.
1- تقوم المراكز الصحية التابعة للوزارة والجهات الحكومية الأخرى والقطاع الخاص بتقديم الخدمات الوقائية والإسعافية والعلاجية والتأهيلية وتوجيه الحالات عند الحاجة إ
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.