Article 20 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
المادة 20 من نظام الرعاية الصحية النفسية
The Article creates in every inpatient mental treatment facility a technical medical committee of three psychiatrists, one at least a consultant, to deal with cases that obstruct the treatment plan.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تنشأ لجنة طبية فنية داخل كل منشأة علاجية نفسية معدة للتنويم من ثلاثة أطباء نفسيين أحدهم - على الأقل - استشاري ؛ للتعامل مع الحالات التي تعوق تطبيق الخطة العلاجية اللازمة للمريض، مع إحاطة مجلس المراقبة المحلي بما يتم في هذا الشأن. وتوضح اللائحة التفاصيل اللازمة لذلك.
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 20 explained in plain English
This Article creates an internal body in mental treatment facilities, the technical medical committee.
- Where? In every mental treatment facility equipped for inpatient admission. Facilities that do not admit patients are not covered by the text.
- Composition: three psychiatrists, at least one of them a consultant.
- Task: dealing with cases that obstruct the application of the treatment plan the patient needs.
- Informing: the local supervisory council is kept informed of what is done in this regard.
- Details: the Implementing Regulations explain the necessary details.
The idea is that some cases cannot be resolved by the treating physician's decision alone, so they are referred to a committee of three physicians that brings together wider experience. Keeping the local council informed ensures that the committee's decisions are not taken in isolation from oversight.
The text does not define what counts as a "case that obstructs the treatment plan" or the committee's powers in detail; that is left to the Implementing Regulations. The role of this committee differs from that of the patients' rights committee regulated by Article 21: the first is medical and technical, and the second deals with rights and complaints.
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 20 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
Who sits on the technical medical committee in a mental facility?
Three psychiatrists, at least one of them a consultant.
What is the technical medical committee's task?
Dealing with cases that obstruct the application of the treatment plan the patient needs, while keeping the local supervisory council informed.
More articles on Compulsory Treatment Care and Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Article 17
The Article regulates compulsory treatment care at outpatient clinics or at home on the decision of two psychiatrists, for up to 180 days, with the right to object and to ask for it to end.
أ - يتطلب تطبيق الرعاية العلاجية الإلزامية أن يكون الشخص مصاباً باضطراب نفسي، ويحتاج إلى الرعاية العلاجية، وذلك بقرار يعتمده طبيبان نفسيان موضحة فيه أسباب فرض ا
- Article 18
The Article requires treatment team members to record every treatment intervention in the mental patient's file, including electroconvulsive therapy and its procedures, as the Regulations set out.
يلتزم أعضاء الفريق الطبي العلاجي بأن يسجلوا في ملف المريض النفسي كل تدخل علاجي يقوم به أي منهم، بما في ذلك العلاج بالصدمات الكهربائية وإجراءاته، وذلك وفقاً لما
- Article 19
Electroconvulsive therapy requires explicit, free written consent from the patient or his guardian after being told its nature, purpose, side effects and alternatives.
إذا تقرر احتياج المريض النفسي إلى العلاج بالصدمات الكهربائية، تعين الحصول على موافقته - أو وليه - الكتابية الصريحة المبنية على إرادة حرة، بعد إحاطته علماً بطبيع
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.