Minister of Health Establishes "Fertility Medicine Unit Laboratory" in Women's and Maternity Departments at Hospitals
Abdul Karim Al-Abdullah: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Awadi has issued Ministerial Decision No. (292) of 2026 regarding the establishment of a technical unit named “Fertility Medicine Unit Laboratory” within the obstetrics and gynecology departments of hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health. The decision outlines the tasks, competencies, and administrative and technical responsibilities of the laboratories, as well as the conditions and qualifications for filling leadership and technical positions, alongside regulating their reporting lines and oversight mechanisms.
This decision, published by Al-Anbaa, aims to organize work in fertility medicine laboratories, enhance the quality of services and technical procedures related to in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), egg retrieval, and embryo and human sperm cryopreservation. It also ensures the application of quality and safety standards and compliance with relevant local, national, and international regulations.
Article One stipulates the establishment of a technical unit under the name “Fertility Medicine Unit Laboratory” in the obstetrics and gynecology departments of hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health.
Competencies of the Head of the Fertility Medicine Unit Laboratory
Article Two defines the tasks and competencies of the Unit Head, who is responsible for managing all aspects of the fertility laboratory and supervising technical procedures, including egg retrieval, fertilization, and cryopreservation. Additionally, the Head oversees staff training, quality control, data analysis, and research, while ensuring compliance with medical standards and regulations. The role involves linking laboratory work with clinical teams to achieve the best patient outcomes and provide comprehensive care.
The Laboratory Head also manages and directs daily operations, implements protocols, and oversees facilities and equipment, maintaining sterilization conditions and ensuring operational efficiency. Responsibilities include developing, evaluating, and supervising quality control programs, analyzing data, and implementing necessary improvements. Furthermore, the Head leads, trains, guides, and evaluates embryologists and laboratory staff, working to foster a high-performance collaborative work environment.
The Laboratory Head is committed to local, national, and international medical and regulatory standards, including those of the Ministry of Health, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, and embryology guidelines. This includes clinical collaboration with physicians, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and counselors to coordinate patient care and translate laboratory results into treatment plans.
The decision assigns the Laboratory Head the responsibility of collecting and analyzing data on IVF cycles, success rates, and trends, and preparing necessary reports for management and quality improvement purposes.
Tasks also include communicating with patients, participating in their education, holding awareness sessions, and ensuring effective communication regarding results. Additionally, the Head prepares annual orders and requirements for laboratory materials specific to embryo and human sperm implantation, as well as consumables, based on workload capacity and global specifications for the Fertility Medicine Unit Laboratory.
In the absence of the Laboratory Head, they are authorized to appoint a deputy to oversee operations. The Head is also responsible for monitoring maintenance contracts for equipment available in each laboratory, reviewing the need for required maintenance contracts and equipment quality, and preparing periodic reports on each device and its operational capacity.
Ministerial Decision No. 292 of 2026 regarding the establishment of a technical unit under the name Fertility Laboratory.
Fifteen years of experience required for the position of Head of the Fertility Medicine Laboratory Unit
Article Three stipulates the experience and academic qualifications required for the post of Unit Head. The candidate must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in laboratory sciences or a field related to fertility medicine laboratories, with no less than 15 years of experience working in a fertility medicine laboratory. The candidate’s job title must be at least Senior Medical Laboratory Specialist, and they must hold a valid professional license.
The decision also requires the candidate to possess leadership, organizational, and multitasking skills, with no less than 10 years of experience in these areas. Additionally, the candidate must have expertise in all assisted reproductive technology procedures, including intrauterine insemination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), embryo biopsy, embryo and sperm cryopreservation, and other related techniques.
The decision further mandates the ability to analyze data and prepare reports, knowledge of relevant regulations and laws, and proficiency in team building, mentoring, communication, and interpersonal interaction.
Alternative qualifications under specific conditions
In cases where the aforementioned requirements are not met, the decision permits consideration of a candidate holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree in laboratory sciences or a related field, provided they have no less than 12 years of experience working in a fertility medicine laboratory and hold a job title of at least Medical Laboratory Specialist.
This pertains to Ministerial Decision No. 292 of 2026 concerning the establishment of a technical unit under the name Fertility Laboratory.
Article Four stipulates that the laboratory units of the Fertility Medicine Department within the Obstetrics and Gynecology departments shall report technically and administratively to the Head of Fertility Medicine Laboratory Units, who in turn reports technically and administratively to the Council of Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments.
This pertains to Ministerial Decision No. 292 of 2026 concerning the establishment of a technical unit under the name Fertility Laboratory.
Article Five outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Head of Fertility Medicine Laboratory Units. These include direct supervision of all aspects of the Fertility Medicine Laboratory Units, oversight of the quality of technical procedures—including oocyte retrieval, fertilization, cryopreservation, and others—as well as staff training, quality control, and data analysis, all aimed at achieving optimal patient outcomes and providing comprehensive care.
The Head of Laboratory Units is also responsible for monitoring the activities and functions of the Fertility Medicine Laboratory Units by directly supervising the routine administrative and technical tasks of each Fertility Medicine Laboratory Unit Head, and evaluating the performance of embryologists based on workload and results.
The Head of Laboratory Units is obligated to ensure that all procedures are carried out correctly in accordance with the quality control programs of the Fertility Medicine Laboratory Unit, and to maintain, verify, and ensure the continuity of these programs.
Developing fertility technologies and keeping pace with scientific advancements. He also serves as Head of the Research and Development and Future Planning Units for Laboratory Development, contributing to aligning the laboratory’s procedures with global developments and scientific progress in the fields of fertility science and assisted reproduction. He is responsible for collecting and analyzing statistics and results related to fertility laboratory procedures, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and the freezing of embryos and human sperm. Additionally, he prepares monthly or annual reports for the relevant authorities.
The decision mandates that he ensure embryologists and laboratory staff adhere to proper procedures, correctly operate equipment, and monitor maintenance contracts and their necessity. He also oversees workload volume, administrative systems, and support systems, collaborating with the Head of the Fertility Medicine Laboratory Unit to identify opportunities for improving work quality and efficiency. His duties include applying productivity standards, resolving operational issues, implementing approved procedures, and ensuring compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
His responsibilities also encompass achieving employee performance outcomes through training, mentoring, planning, monitoring, and evaluating work results, as well as coordinating training programs. Furthermore, he tracks annual orders and the specific needs of each laboratory for embryology and sperm culture materials and consumables, in accordance with workload capacity and international standards. He also monitors equipment maintenance contracts for each laboratory, reviewing the necessity of such contracts and the quality of equipment requiring maintenance, supported by periodic reports on each device’s status and workload, in coordination with the relevant Unit Head.
This pertains to Ministerial Decision No. 292 of 2026 regarding the establishment of a technical unit named the Fertility Laboratory.
Article Six specifies the experience requirements and academic qualifications for the position of Head of Fertility Medicine Laboratory Units. It stipulates that a PhD in a scientific field related to fertility medicine is a mandatory prerequisite, along with at least 15 years of experience managing a fertility medicine laboratory. The job title must be no lower than Senior Laboratory Specialist, and the incumbent must hold a license from the Licensing Department.
In cases where the aforementioned conditions are not met, the decision permits consideration of candidates holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Laboratory Sciences or a related field relevant to the fertility medicine laboratory, provided they have at least 18 years of experience in a fertility medicine laboratory, including no less than 10 years in managing such a laboratory. The job title must be no lower than Senior Laboratory Specialist, and a license from the Licensing Department is required.
This refers to Ministerial Decision No. 292 of 2026 regarding the establishment of a technical unit named the Fertility Laboratory.
Article Seven stipulates that the decision be communicated to those concerned with its implementation and that it take effect from the date of its issuance, repealing any previous decisions or provisions that conflict with its terms.
