Article 6 of the Saudi Mental Health Law

المادة 6 من نظام الرعاية الصحية النفسية

The Article regulates forming the local 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 وزيرالصحة قرارتشكيل مجلس المراقبة المحلي للرعاية الصحية النفسية على النحو الآتي:

1 -مستشار شرعي من وزارة العدلرئيساً

2 -مستشار من وزارة الداخليةعضواً ونائباً للرئيس

3 -طبيبان نفسيان على الأقل أحدهما بدرجة استشاريعضوين

4 -أخصائي نفسيعضواً

5 -أخصائي اجتماعيعضواً

6 -أحد مواطني المنطقة من المشهود لهم بالصلاح والحكمة يرشحه مجلس المراقبة العام للرعاية الصحية عضواً

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

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

جـ - يعين وزير الصحة السكرتارية اللازمة لعمل المجلس، ويحدد مكافأة 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 6 explained in plain English

This Article regulates the local supervisory council for mental health care, the oversight body closest to the facilities and patients in the regions, whose formation decision is issued by the Minister of Health.

Composition:

A legal (Shari'ah) adviser from the Ministry of Justice as chair.
An adviser from the Ministry of Interior as member and deputy chair.
At least two psychiatrists, one of them a consultant.
A psychologist and a social worker.
One of the citizens of the region known for righteousness and wisdom, nominated by the General Supervisory Council.

The council may seek the help of those with experience or 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 and sets the members' remuneration and 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.

Note that having a member from the people of the region adds a community dimension to the oversight, and that requiring two psychiatrists, one a consultant, ensures medical expertise in the council's decisions. The local council's powers are detailed in Article 7, including hearing patients' grievances and following up compulsory admission cases.

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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