“Abortion will be allowed in the country but under tough conditions,” said Dr Ali bin Shukar, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health (MoH). “Applicants must have valid reasons.”

He said his ministry has broadly reached a consensus with the Ministry of Justice and General Awqaf Authority to sanction abortion.

“We have reached an agreement in this regard with the Ministry of Justice and Awqaf Authority that observes all the values and Islamic legislations as well as clinical conditions,” said Dr Shukar.

“Invalid excuses for abortion like wanting to get rid of the baby because they think they have had enough children or not wanting to keep the baby because they feel tired will not be considered genuine and sufficient reasons to go for abortion,” said the official. The abortion rule will be stipulated in the federal law on medical liability which is being contemplated by the two ministries before being forwarded to the cabinet for endorsement.

“The law is expected to see the light of day by the end of this year once it’s approved by the cabinet,” said Dr Shukar.

About other contentious issues that hinder implementation of the law, Dr Shukar said brain death, the most controversial issue, is still pending and awaits approval of the  Ministry of Justice.

“The Ministry of Justice believes as long as there is a pulse there is life. However, clinically if the brain is between 60-70 per cent dead, the person is dead,” clarified the official.

He said Saudi Arabia recognises brain death as death and that the country tends to agree with it. “Saudi Arabia which is considered a reference in Islamic issues endorses brain death as death and deals in organ donations. We hope that we will reach an agreement based on Shariah laws and recent medical concepts.”

The official underlined that fixing a ceiling for compensation for medical errors was another area of debate between the two federal ministries.