Article 22 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 22 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
The article prohibits the physician from aborting a pregnant woman except to save her life, or before four months if a medical committee decision establishes that continuing the pregnancy seriously threatens the mother's health.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر على الطبيب إجهاض أي امرأة حامل إلا إذ اقتضت ذلك ضرورة إنقاذ حياتها.
ومع ذلك يجوز الإجهاض إذا لم يكن الحمل أتم أربعة أشهر، وثبت بصورة أكيدة أن استمراره يهدد صحة الأم بضرر جسيم، ويثبت هذا الأمر بقرار من لجنة طبية تشكل طبقًا للشروط والأوضاع التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article regulates abortion, and its starting point is prohibition: the physician is prohibited from aborting any pregnant woman. The text excepts only two cases:
First case: saving the mother's life. Abortion is permitted if the necessity of saving her life requires it. The text did not tie this case to any particular period of pregnancy.
Second case: serious harm to the mother's health. Abortion is permitted if three conditions come together:
- The pregnancy has not completed four months.
- It is established with certainty that its continuation threatens the mother's health with serious harm.
- This is established by a decision of a medical committee formed according to the conditions and arrangements set by the Implementing Regulations.
The difference between the two cases is that the first concerns the mother's life and the second her health, and each has its own conditions. The Law does not describe the formation of the medical committee or its procedures, but refers that to the Implementing Regulations.
The prohibition is directed at the physician. The article follows Article 21 on the confidentiality of patient information, and precedes Article 23, which regulates the pharmacist's prohibitions in dispensing medicines. Because the matter is delicate, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases in any particular situation.
Practical example
A woman in her third month of pregnancy in Makkah, and her physician found that continuing the pregnancy may cause serious harm to her health. The physician may not perform the abortion on his own decision. It must be established with certainty by a decision of a medical committee formed according to the Implementing Regulations, and before the pregnancy completes four months.
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 22 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
Is abortion allowed in Saudi Arabia?
As a rule it is prohibited for the physician, unless the necessity of saving the mother's life requires it, or the pregnancy has not completed four months and a medical committee decision establishes that continuing it threatens her health with serious harm.
Can a doctor decide on abortion alone to protect the mother's health?
In the case of serious harm to the mother's health, it must be established by a decision of a medical committee formed according to what the Implementing Regulations set.
Until when may abortion be performed to protect the mother's health?
The pregnancy must not have completed four months.
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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.