Article 3 of the Saudi Mental Health Law

المادة 3 من نظام الرعاية الصحية النفسية

The Article regulates forming the General Supervisory Council for Mental Health Care by decision of the Minister of Health, its members, the four-year term, its secretariat and the nomination of members.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

أ - يصدر وزير الصحة قراراً بتشكيل مجلس باسم "مجلس المراقبة العام للرعاية الصحية النفسية"؛ على النحو الآتي :

1 -مستشار شرعي من وزارة العدلرئيساً

2 -مستشار من وزارة الداخليةعضواً ونائباً للرئيس

3 -مدير عام الصحة النفسية في وزارة الصحةعضواً وأميناً للمجلس

4 -ممثل من وزارة الشؤون الاجتماعيةعضواً

5 -مستشار نظامي من وزارة الصحةعضواً

6 -عضو من هيئة حقوق الإنسانعضواً

7 -ثلاثة من الأطباء الاستشاريين في الطب النفسي من وزارة الصحة والجهات الطبية الأخرىأعضاء

8 -أخصائي نفسيعضواً

9 -أخصائي اجتماعيعضواً

ويجوز للمجلس الاستعانة بمن يراه من ذوي الخبرة والتخصص، دون أن يكون له حق التصويت.

ب - مدة العضوية في المجلس أربع سنوات، ويجوز تجديدها لمدة أو لمدد مماثلة.

جـ - يعين وزير الصحة السكرتارية اللازمة لعمل المجلس، ويحدد مكافآت أعضائه وإجراءات عمله

د - ترشح كل جهة العضو الذي يمثلها وعضواً احتياطيًّا له، على ألا تقل مراتب أعضاء المجلس عن (الثانية عشرة) أو ما يعادلها.

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 3 explained in plain English

This Article creates the highest oversight body under the Law, the General Supervisory Council for Mental Health Care, formed by decision of the Minister of Health.

Composition: the Council consists of:

A legal (Shari'ah) adviser from the Ministry of Justice as chair.
An adviser from the Ministry of Interior as member and deputy chair.
The Director General of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health as member and secretary of the Council.
A representative of the Ministry of Social Affairs, a legal adviser from the Ministry of Health, and a member from the Human Rights Commission.
Three consultant physicians in psychiatry from the Ministry of Health and other medical bodies.
A psychologist and a social worker.

The Council may seek the help of those with experience and specialization, who have no right to vote.

Membership and organization:

The term of membership is four years, renewable for one or more similar terms.
The Minister of Health appoints the secretariat the Council needs and sets the members' remuneration and the Council's working procedures.
Each body nominates its member and an alternate for him, provided that the members' grades are not lower than the twelfth grade or its equivalent.

This varied composition, which brings together Shari'ah, security, medical, human rights and social perspectives, reflects the Law's aim in Article 2 of protecting patients' rights and dignity. The Council's powers are set by Article 4.

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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