SAUDI ARABIA. Rules
of
implementation for Regulations of the practice of medicine and
dentistry:
Ministerial Resolution No. 218/17/L of
SECTION (2)
Physician's/Dentist's Responsibilities to Patients
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ARTICLE (24)
A physician is prohibited to perform an abortion
of
a pregnant woman unless an abortion is deemed the only course of action
that
is apt to save her life. Nevertheless, a
physician
may perform an abortion if the pregnancy is less than four months old
and
it is proven beyond doubt that continued pregnancy gravely endangers
the mother's
health provided such facts are supported by a resolution of a medical
committee
that is formed in accordance with conditions and stipulations specified
by
the rules of implementation of these regulations.
24.1.L. Resolution No. 140
dated
20.6.1407H by the Committee of Senior Ulema stipulated as follows:
(1)
Pregnancy in any of
its stages may not be aborted except when legally (according to Islamic
laws) justified and within very narrow limitations.
(2)
In the first forty
days of pregnancy, and if abortion is deemed necessary to accomplish a
legal
benefit or to prevent an expected harm, abortion may be allowed. However, abortion is not allowed during this
state for
fear of hardship in child upbringing or inability to secure cost of
living,
education or future or if the parents decide that they have enough
children.
(3)
Abortion in the embryo
stage is not allowed unless an approved medical committee decides that
continuation
of pregnancy endangers the mother's safety and could possibly lead to
her
death. In such cases, abortion shall be
allowed if
all means to eliminate the danger are exhausted to no avail.
(4)
After the third stage
where pregnancy is over four months, abortion is not allowed unless and
until
a panel of approved specialists diagnose that continuation of pregnancy
will
cause the mother's death and all means to eliminate the danger are
exhausted
to no avail.
Abortion is allowed under these conditions to
avoid
the gravest of two dangers and to accomplish the better of two benefits.
24.2.L. The Director of a
hospital
that has a maternity section shall form a committee of not less than
three
consultant (or specialist) members, one of whom shall be a consultant
(or specialist) in the discipline that covers the illness that prompted
recommendation
to terminate the pregnancy. This committee
shall prepare
a report showing the type of confirmed hazard that threatens the
mother's
health in case of continued pregnancy and this report shall be signed
by
all committee members and approved by the hospital director.
If abortion is recommended, the circumstances
shall
be explained to the patient, her husband or her guardian and their
written
consent shall be obtained in accordance with Form (9)-Page (41).
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Part (5)
Closing Provisions
ARTICLE (40)
These regulations supercede any conflicting
provisions.
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