Article 15 of the Saudi Organ Donation Law
المادة 15 من نظام التبرع بالأعضاء البشرية
A health facility is licensed for removal and transplant operations by decision of the Director General on the recommendation of an evaluation committee, after confirming it complies with the guide; the regulations set renewal rules.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون الترخيص للمنشأة الصحية بقرار يصدره المدير العام -بناءً على توصية من لجنة تقويمية للمنشآت الصحية في هذا المجال تُكوّن وفق ما تحدده اللائحة- بعد التأكد من التقيد بما ورد في الدليل المنصوص عليه في المادة (الرابعة عشرة) من النظام.
2- تحدد اللائحة الأحكام الخاصة بتجديد الترخيص.
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 15 explained in plain English
No health facility may perform organ removal or transplant operations without a license. This article regulates how it is granted:
- Issuing authority: a decision issued by the Director General of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation.
- Recommendation: the decision is issued on the recommendation of an evaluation committee for health facilities in this field, formed as the regulations specify.
- The condition: confirming that the facility complies with what is in the guide provided for in Article 14, which is the guide prepared by the supreme medical committee and contains the health conditions and controls and the internationally accepted standards for organ transplantation.
As for renewal of the license, the regulations set its provisions, and the text does not state the license's duration or the conditions for renewing it.
The importance of this article is that other articles of the law require operations to be performed in a facility "licensed under Article 15", so this license is what makes an operation lawful as to place. A facility that objects to a decision concerning its license may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
A private hospital in Khobar wants to start a kidney transplant program. It must apply to the Center, and the evaluation committee assesses it and confirms that it complies with the supreme medical committee's guide. The Director General then issues the license decision if the committee so recommends.
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 15 of the Saudi Organ Donation Law
Who issues the organ transplant license to hospitals?
The Director General of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation issues it, on the recommendation of an evaluation committee.
What is the condition for granting the license?
Confirming that the facility complies with what is in the guide provided for in Article 14.
How is the license renewed?
The Implementing Regulations set the provisions on renewing the license.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Health Facility Obligations and Licensing
- Article 6
The article requires a licensed health facility that performs an organ removal from a donor to notify the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation immediately, so the Center can take the prescribed measures.
تلتزم المنشأة الصحية -المرخص لها وفق المادة (الخامسة عشرة) من النظام- التي تجرى لديها عملية استئصال العضو البشري من المتبرع، بأن تقوم بإبلاغ المركز في شأن ذلك ف
- Article 10
The article requires respect for the donor's dignity when an organ is removed and protection from degradation or disfigurement, and bars disclosing information about his body, living or dead, except as the law provides or by court order.
تجب مراعاة كرامة المتبرع عند استئصال العضو البشري، وحمايته من الامتهان أو التشويه. ولا يجوز إفشاء أي معلومات تتعلق بجسم المتبرع حيًّا أو ميتًا إلا في الأحوال ال
- Article 13
The article prohibits health facilities from using an organ for other than its purpose, failing to report deaths to the Center, transplanting an organ removed under a court judgment, and taking or paying any payment for donation.
يُحظر على المنشآت الصحية القيام بأيٍّ مما يأتي: 1- التصرف بأيٍّ من الأعضاء البشرية التي تستأصل لغير الغرض الذي تم التبرع به لأجله. ويستثنى من ذلك حالة تعذر زراع
- Article 14
The article provides for a supreme medical committee of consultants from all health sectors to prepare a comprehensive guide to internationally accepted conditions, controls and standards for organ transplantation, in force once the chairman approves it.
تُكوَّن بقرار من الرئيس -بناءً على اقتراح المدير العام- لجنة طبية عليا من جميع القطاعات الصحية لا تقل درجة العضو فيها عن طبيب استشاري، تتولى إعداد دليل متكامل ي
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.