Article 28 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
المادة 28 من نظام الرعاية الصحية النفسية
The Article authorizes the Minister of Health, in coordination with the relevant bodies, to regulate procedures for strengthening mental care and preventing disorders, and the rules for practicing psychiatry.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
ينظم وزير الصحة - بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة - ما يأتي :
أ - الإجراءات والضوابط التي تهدف إلى تعزيز الرعاية الصحية النفسية والوقاية من الاضطرابات النفسية في المجتمع.
ب - قواعد وإجراءات ممارسة الطب النفسي في منشآت العلاج النفسي.
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 28 explained in plain English
This Article gives the Minister of Health regulatory power in two fields, to be exercised in coordination with the relevant bodies:
- The procedures and controls aimed at strengthening mental health care and preventing mental disorders in society. This goes beyond the scope of treatment facilities to society in general, and is consistent with the definition of mental health care in Article 1 as including preventive, treatment and rehabilitation services.
- The rules and procedures for practicing psychiatry in mental treatment facilities.
It is clear that the Law did not itself set out detailed rules of professional practice or prevention programs but left their regulation to the Minister. Anyone who wants to know the detailed rules for practicing psychiatry therefore turns to what the Minister issues in this regard.
The requirement of coordination with the relevant bodies also reflects that preventing mental disorders is not purely a health matter but may touch other bodies. The Article does not name these bodies, so no particular body should be assumed.
This power differs from the issuance of the Implementing Regulations regulated by Article 29.
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 28 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
Who regulates the rules for practicing psychiatry?
The Minister of Health regulates them in coordination with the relevant bodies.
Does the Law cover preventing mental disorders?
Yes. The Minister of Health regulates the procedures and controls aimed at strengthening mental care and preventing mental disorders in society.
More articles on Definitions and Aims of Mental Health Care
- Article 1
The Article defines the terms of the Mental Health Care Law, including mental disorder and when it is severe, the mental patient, the treatment facility, practitioners and the guardian.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية - أينما وردت في هذا النظام - المعاني المبينة أمامها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك : الرعاية الصحية النفسية : فرع من الصحة العامة يع
- Article 2
The Article sets out the Law's objectives: regulating and strengthening mental health care, protecting patients' rights, dignity, families and society, and setting how patients are treated.
يهدف هذا النظام إلى الآتي : 1 - تنظيم وتعزيز الرعاية الصحية النفسية اللازمة للمرضى النفسيين. 2 - حماية حقوق المرضى النفسيين، وحفظ كرامتهم وأسرهم والمجتمع. 3 - و
- Article 29
The Article requires the Minister of Health to issue the Law's Implementing Regulations within 90 days of the Law's issuance, and they apply from the date the Law takes effect.
يصدر وزير الصحة اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام خلال (تسعين) يوماً من تاريخ صدوره ويعمل بها من تاريخ نفاذه.
- Article 30
The Mental Health Care Law takes effect 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بهذا النظام بعد (تسعين) يوماً من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.