Verify brain death definitively, by diagnosing the brain death condition in the protocol of diagnostic procedures, using brain criteria (Annex 8), according to the provisions specified in the diagnosis form (Annex 9), and the special procedures for these cases, which have been developed by the Brain Death Committee at the Organ Transplantation Coordination Center. It is important to ensure that the deceased female is not pregnant. If pregnancy is confirmed, organ donation is not allowed, except in the case of fetal death. No member of the medical team preparing and executing the organ transplant is allowed to participate in the diagnosis of brain death.
Obtain the consent of the legal heirs of the brain-dead deceased to donate their organs, whether inside or outside the country, according to the declaration form (Annex 10), unless the brain-dead deceased had made a legal will during their lifetime to donate their organs. If the deceased is unknown or their relatives cannot be identified, obtaining the approval of the competent official authorities is required before removing the organs.
Coordinate with the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation before removing any organ from brain-dead donors to ensure that all organs are utilized and distributed according to the priority guidelines.
Organs should be removed at the hospital where brain death occurred, and the patient should not be transferred to another hospital except in compelling circumstances.
Organs are distributed and transplanted in accordance with the procedures outlined in the guidelines for each organ in the event of brain death being confirmed in any hospital and with the consent of the legal heirs of the brain-dead deceased to donate their organs.
The donor must be at least 18 years old.
There must be a blood, breastfeeding, or marital relationship, which must be confirmed by the relevant official authorities, with the exception of renewable organs such as bone marrow transplantation. Organ transplantation from non-relatives is also exempted, as long as it is done within specified guidelines that ensure the rights of patients and donors. Annex 11: Guidelines for organ donation and transplantation from non-related living donors.
The living donor must be in good health and the donation should not cause harm to their health or the recipient's health. It is also prohibited to transplant an entire organ from a living donor if the donor's life depends on that organ.
The donation must be based on full and voluntary consent, without any social or financial pressure.
The donation must be supported by a written and documented declaration from the donor, and the donor is allowed to withdraw their consent at any time before the operation is performed.
The approved medical examination, as outlined in this guideline, must be conducted, and the donor must be informed of all possible or confirmed results that may arise from the removal of the donated organ. The donor's acknowledgement of this must be recorded in writing in their medical file.