Article 16 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
المادة 16 من نظام الرعاية الصحية النفسية
The Article requires the mental treatment facility to verify the conditions for compulsory admission, notify the local council of names within 48 working hours, keep a register, and allow the supervisory councils to inspect.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب أن تلتزم المنشأة العلاجية النفسية بما يأتي:
1 - التأكد من توافر شروط وإجراءات الدخول الإلزامي للعلاج المنصوص عليها في المادتين (الثالثة عشرة) و(الرابعة عشرة) من هذا النظام.
2 - إبلاغ مجلس المراقبة المحلي للرعاية الصحية النفسية بأسماء الداخلين فيها للعلاج الإلزامي خلال (ثمانٍ وأربعين) ساعة عمل من دخولهم.
3 - أن يكون لديها سجل يدون فيه اسم كل مريض، ولقبه، وسنه، وجنسيته، والأوصاف المميزة له، ورقم هويته، وتاريخها، وتاريخ الدخول والخروج، واسم من أحضره - إن وجد - وجميع المعلومات اللازمة.
4 - السماح لأعضاء مجلسي المراقبة (العام والمحلي) للرعاية الصحية النفسية وممثليهم واللجان المشكلة من قبلهم بمزاولة مهماتهم الرقابية المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام في جميع أقسام المنشآت العلاجية.
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 16 explained in plain English
This Article places four obligations on the mental treatment facility in compulsory admission:
- Verifying the conditions and procedures set out in Articles 13 and 14. Article 13 requires a severe disorder posing danger, the need for admission, and written approval by two psychiatrists together. Article 14 sets the periods, their extension, notification and grievance. So the facility does not just rely on the physicians' signatures; it must make sure these have been met.
- Notification: notifying the local supervisory council of the names of those admitted for compulsory treatment within 48 working hours of their admission.
- The register: keeping a register recording each patient's name, surname, age, nationality, distinguishing features, ID number and its date, dates of admission and discharge, the name of whoever brought him if any, and all necessary information.
- Enabling oversight: allowing members of the General and local supervisory councils, their representatives and their committees to carry out their oversight tasks in all departments of the facilities.
These obligations matter because they make every compulsory admission known to the oversight body within a short time, so no one remains detained without its knowledge, and the register allows the periods and procedures to be checked later.
After this Article comes Article 17, which regulates compulsory treatment care outside the facility.
If you have a specific case, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in health regulations and patients' rights.
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 16 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
Within what time must a mental facility report a compulsory patient?
It notifies the local supervisory council of the names of those admitted for compulsory treatment within 48 working hours of their admission.
What data must be recorded about a compulsory patient?
His name, surname, age, nationality, distinguishing features, ID number and its date, dates of admission and discharge, the name of whoever brought him if any, and all necessary information.
Can the hospital stop the supervisory council from inspecting?
No. It must allow members of the General and local supervisory councils, their representatives and their committees to carry out their tasks in all its departments.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 13
Compulsory admission is allowed only when three conditions are all met: a severe mental disorder posing danger, admission being necessary for recovery or improvement, and written approval by two psychiatrists.
لا يجوز إدخال أي شخص إلزاميًّا في المنشأة العلاجية النفسية إلا عند توافر جميع الشروط الآتية: 1 - قيام دلائل واضحة على إصابة الشخص باضطراب نفسي شديد تمثل أعراضه
- Article 14
Compulsory admission lasts 72 hours and may be extended on two psychiatrists' reports to 30, then 90, then up to 180 days, with a right of grievance and ending as soon as its reasons cease.
أ - مدة الدخول الإلزامي (اثنتان وسبعون) ساعة، وإذا استمرت أسباب بقاء المريض النفسي داخل المنشأة العلاجية النفسية وفق الشروط المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة عشر
More articles on Involuntary Admission for Psychiatric Treatment
- Article 7
The Article sets the local council's powers, including supervising facilities, hearing grievances, canceling compulsory admission decisions and approving non-conventional treatment.
يختص مجلس المراقبة المحلي للرعاية الصحية النفسية بالآتي : 1 - الإشراف على تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام، والتأكد من التزام المنشآت العلاجية النفسية في جميع القطاعات ال
- Article 13
Compulsory admission is allowed only when three conditions are all met: a severe mental disorder posing danger, admission being necessary for recovery or improvement, and written approval by two psychiatrists.
لا يجوز إدخال أي شخص إلزاميًّا في المنشأة العلاجية النفسية إلا عند توافر جميع الشروط الآتية: 1 - قيام دلائل واضحة على إصابة الشخص باضطراب نفسي شديد تمثل أعراضه
- Article 14
Compulsory admission lasts 72 hours and may be extended on two psychiatrists' reports to 30, then 90, then up to 180 days, with a right of grievance and ending as soon as its reasons cease.
أ - مدة الدخول الإلزامي (اثنتان وسبعون) ساعة، وإذا استمرت أسباب بقاء المريض النفسي داخل المنشأة العلاجية النفسية وفق الشروط المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة عشر
- Article 24
If a compulsorily admitted patient escapes or does not return from medical leave, the facility's management coordinates with the security authorities to bring him back.
إذا هرب من المنشأة العلاجية النفسية أحد المرضى المنومين فيها إلزاميًّا، أو لم يعد من الإجازة الطبية التي منحتها إياه المنشأة العلاجية النفسية؛ فعلى إدارة المنشأ
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.