Minister of Health Issues Decision to Regulate Surgical Procedures and Medical Interventions in the Public and Private Sectors

- Linking doctors’ authority in surgeries to their specialization, licensing, and professional privileges

- Strengthening patients’ rights, prioritizing emergency cases, and ensuring continuity of care after operations

The Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Awadi, issued a ministerial decision today, Monday, to regulate and control the performance of surgical operations and medical interventions in both the public and private sectors.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the decision established clear professional privileges and authorities by linking the performance of surgeries and medical interventions to the physician’s specialization, licensing, and professional privileges, according to classifications set by departmental councils and approved by the Undersecretary of the Ministry.

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The decision also included strengthening patients’ rights through obtaining informed consent, disclosing the identity of the medical team, and documenting this in the medical file.

It also regulated surgical supervision by defining doctors’ authorities and levels of supervision over surgeries and medical interventions, based on job titles and approved regulations.

The decision emphasized the priority of emergency cases and ensured the availability of operating rooms and necessary staff for cases that cannot tolerate delay.

It also mandated ensuring continuity of care after operations by following up with the patient after the surgery or medical intervention, documenting the treatment plan, follow-up, and subsequent reviews.

The decision included comprehensive documentation of procedures, by recording details of surgeries and medical interventions, the participating team, in the medical file and the operating room register.