Article 11 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 11 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
The article requires the healthcare practitioner, immediately on examining a patient suspected of being injured by a crime or of having an infectious disease, to notify the competent security and health authorities; the Minister sets the diseases, the authority and the procedures.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على الممارس الصحي فور معاينته لمريض مشتبه في إصابته جنائيًّا، أو إصابته بمرض معد؛ أن يبلغ الجهات الأمنية والصحية المختصة، ويصدر الوزير قرارًا بتحديد الأمراض التي يجب التبليغ عنها، والجهة التي تبلغ إليها، والإجراءات الواجب اتباعها في هذا الشأن.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article places on the healthcare practitioner a duty to report in two cases:
- If they examine a patient suspected of being injured by a crime, meaning the injury may result from a criminal act.
- If they examine a patient suspected of having an infectious disease.
Suspicion is enough, as the text does not require certainty. The report must be made immediately on examination and directed to the competent security and health authorities.
The Law itself does not set the details of this duty, but provides that the Minister of Health issues a decision specifying:
- The diseases that must be reported.
- The authority to which the report is made.
- The procedures to be followed.
So to learn the list of diseases or the way to report, refer to the Minister's decision, not to the Law.
The article follows Article 10 on the prohibition of personal advertising and unearned titles, and precedes Article 12, which prevents the practitioner from practicing more than one healthcare profession and prohibits commissions and benefits for prescribing medicines or directing patients. Anyone with a question about their responsibility in a particular case may consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases.
Practical example
An emergency physician in Riyadh receives a young man with a stab wound. The person with him says he fell on a sharp object, but the nature of the wound raises suspicion that it resulted from an assault. The physician must, immediately on examination, notify the competent security and health authorities according to the procedures set by the Minister's decision.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 11 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
Must a doctor report an injured person to the police?
Yes. If they examine a patient suspected of being injured by a crime, they must immediately notify the competent security and health authorities.
Who decides which infectious diseases must be reported?
The Minister of Health issues a decision specifying the diseases that must be reported, the authority to which the report is made, and the procedures to be followed.
Must the doctor be certain of the criminal injury before reporting?
No. The text speaks of a patient suspected of being injured by a crime or of having an infectious disease.
More articles on Duties of the Healthcare Practitioner
- Article 5
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to practice for the benefit of the individual and society, respecting human life, safety and dignity, observing prevailing customs, and avoiding exploitation.
يزاول الممارس الصحي مهنته لمصلحة الفرد والمجتمع في نطاق احترام حق الإنسان في الحياة وسلامته وكرامته، مراعيًا في عمله العادات والتقاليد السائدة في المملكة مبتعدً
- Article 6
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to assist the competent authorities in protecting public health and warding off the dangers that threaten it in peace and in war.
يلتزم الممارس الصحي بمعاونة السلطات المختصة في أداء واجبها نحو حماية الصحة العامة، ودرء الأخطار التي تهددها في السلم والحرب.
- Article 7
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to develop their knowledge and follow developments in their specialty, requires facilities to facilitate their attendance at courses, and prohibits unrecognized or prohibited diagnosis and treatment methods.
أ - يجب على الممارس الصحي أن يعمل على تنمية معلوماته، وأن يتابع التطورات العلمية والاكتشافات الحديثة في مجال تخصصه، وعلى إدارات المنشآت الصحية تسهيل حضوره للندو
- Article 8
The article requires a healthcare practitioner who witnesses or knows that a patient or injured person is in a critical condition to give possible assistance or make sure the person receives the necessary care.
يجب على الممارس الصحي الذي يشهد أو يعلم أن مريضًا أو جريحًا في حالة خطرة أن يقدم له المساعدة الممكنة، أو أن يتأكد من أنه يتلقى العناية الضرورية.
- Article 9
The article requires medical work to aim always at the patient's interest, and prevents the healthcare practitioner from doing work beyond their specialty or means except in a case of necessity.
أ - يجب أن يستهدف العمل الطبي دائمًا مصلحة المريض، وعلى الممارس الصحي أن يبذل جهده لكل مريض. ب - لا يجوز للممارس الصحي- في غيرحالة الضرورة- القيام بعمل يجاوز اخ
- Article 15
The article requires the healthcare practitioner to carry out diagnosis with the necessary care using suitable technical means and those the case calls for, and to give the patient what they request about their condition and test results, accurately and objectively.
يجب على الممارس الصحي أن يجري التشخيص بالعناية اللازمة مستعينًا بالوسائل الفنية الملائمة، وبمن تستدعي ظروف الحالة الاستعانة بهم من الأخصائيين أو المساعدين، وأن
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.