Article 97 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 97 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الثالث: الإجازة المرضية
The article provides that an officer who cannot be treated inside the Kingdom is treated abroad at government expense, with his travel and treatment costs paid within the period set by the reports of the Supreme Military Medical Committee.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
في حالة تعذر علاج الضباط داخل المملكة يعالج خارجها على نفقة الحكومة وتصرف له نفقات سفره وعلاجه في حدود المدة المقررة بموجب التقارير الطبية الصادرة من اللجنة الطبية العسكرية العليا طبقاً للائحة تنفيذية يقرها رئيس مجلس الوزراء.
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 97 explained in plain English
This article regulates an officer's treatment outside the Kingdom, and its elements are:
- The condition: the officer cannot be treated inside the Kingdom.
- The ruling: he is treated abroad at government expense.
- What is paid: his travel and treatment expenses.
- The limit of the period: within the period set under the medical reports issued by the Supreme Military Medical Committee.
- The detailed reference: implementing regulations approved by the President of the Council of Ministers.
The practical meaning is that treatment abroad is not an option the officer decides himself, but is tied to treatment not being possible inside the Kingdom. The Supreme Military Medical Committee determines the period through its reports, so expenses are not paid beyond the limits of this period.
As for the details of what is paid and how, the article refers them to implementing regulations approved by the President of the Council of Ministers, so specific amounts or items cannot be inferred from the text alone.
Note that the article concerns the officer himself, and does not address here the treatment of his family members or a companion's expenses. An officer whose request for treatment abroad is refused, or whose expenses are not paid in full, may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Lieutenant Colonel Sultan needed a delicate operation that could not be performed inside the Kingdom. He is treated abroad at government expense, and his travel and treatment expenses are paid within the period set by the reports of the Supreme Military Medical Committee, under the approved implementing regulations.
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 97 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
Is an officer treated abroad at government expense?
Yes, if he cannot be treated inside the Kingdom, and his travel and treatment expenses are paid.
Who sets the period of an officer's treatment abroad?
It is set within the period determined under the medical reports issued by the Supreme Military Medical Committee, under implementing regulations approved by the President of the Council of Ministers.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/28 — 26/3/1442 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- إضافة مادة برقم (97 مكرر ) وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/28) وتاريخ 1442/3/26هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي: "إجازة المرافقة الدراسية: يجوز بقرار من الوزير منح الضابط الذي يرغب في مرافقة زوجته المبتعثة للدراسة في الخارج أو أحد ممن يعولهم شرعاً إجازة مرافقة دراسية، وذلك بقدر مدة المرافقة، على أن تكون دون راتب وألا تحتسب المدة لأغراض التقاعد والترقية".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
في حالة تعذر علاج الضباط داخل المملكة يعالج خارجها على نفقة الحكومة وتصرف له نفقات سفره وعلاجه في حدود المدة المقررة بموجب التقارير الطبية الصادرة من اللجنة الطبية العسكرية العليا طبقاً للائحة تنفيذية يقرها رئيس مجلس الوزراء.
More articles on Medical Treatment for Officers and Their Families
- Article 98Amended (1397 AH)
The article provides that officers are treated in military or other hospitals inside the Kingdom, abroad at the Ministry of Defense's expense when impossible, by decision of the Chief of the General Staff or the Minister in urgent cases, with a companion's expenses.
يعالج الضباط في المستشفيات العسكرية أو غيرها داخل المملكة وإذا رأت اللجنة الطبية العسكرية أن علاجه متعذر داخل المملكة فيعالج خارجها على نفقة وزارة الدفاع والطير
- Article 99
The article provides that officers seconded on official missions or sent abroad to study are treated at the Ministry of Defense's expense, provided the treatment is supported by certified medical reports endorsed by a military attache or the Kingdom's representative office.
يعالج الضباط المنتدبون في مهام رسمية أو المبتعثون للدراسة في الخارج على نفقة وزارة الدفاع والطيران على أن تؤيد المعالجة بتقارير طبية تصادق عليها مراجع طبية وتقت
- Article 100
The article gives an officer the right to have the family members he legally supports treated in military hospitals inside the Kingdom.
للضابط الحق في معالجة أفراد أسرته الذين يعولهم شرعاً في المستشفيات العسكرية في داخل المملكة.
- Article 101
The article provides that the Supreme Military Medical Committee is formed by decision of the Minister on the recommendation of the Chief of the General Staff, from at least three doctors, and the decision sets the committee's term.
تشكل اللجنة الطبية العسكرية العليا بقرار من الوزير بناءً على توصية رئيس هيئة الأركان العامة من ثلاثة أطباء على الأقل ويحدد القرار مدة عمل اللجنة.
- Article 157
Retired officers and those they support under Sharia are treated in military hospitals inside the Kingdom.
يعالج الضباط المتقاعدون ومن يعولونهم شرعاً في المستشفيات العسكرية بالداخل.
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.