Fundamental Reforms in Kuwait's Healthcare Sector
Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi issued a number of ministerial decisions to regulate and amend various operational, financial, and licensing mechanisms in the health sector, which were published in today’s Sunday issue of the Official Gazette, “Kuwait Today.”
The regulations comprise a comprehensive 23-article framework governing how any surgical procedure or medical intervention is conducted in both the public and private sectors. Key provisions include:
- Mandatory obtaining of informed consent from the patient prior to any procedure, with documentation in the medical file.
- Prohibition of resident doctors/interns from performing surgeries independently, except in minor cases under direct supervision. For scheduled elective surgeries, a specialist physician must be present from the beginning of anesthesia until the end of the procedure.
- Prohibition of a surgeon performing more than one operation simultaneously, or leaving the operating room without compelling necessity.
- A new mechanism allowing public sector doctors to perform surgeries in private sector hospitals in emergency cases, and vice versa, to ensure patient safety.
The decision also stipulates that the performing surgeon must be a consultant or specialist who has completed accredited training in bariatric surgery, and it imposes specific experience requirements for anesthesiologists. Visiting surgeons must obtain prior approval from the General Surgery Department Council. This decision repeals the previous regulation issued in 2025 on this matter.
Additionally, the regulations introduce official professional classifications of “Senior Psychotherapist” and “Psychotherapist,” with defined academic requirements and clinical experience hours. This marks the first time the practice of psychotherapy is regulated in both the public and private sectors. It also establishes licensing standards for “centers” providing psychological counseling in the private sector.
The regulations explicitly exclude practices such as life coaching and hypnosis when offered as substitutes for licensed psychotherapy, clarifying a previously ambiguous area. This decision repeals the previous 2025 regulation on this matter.
It also amends the cosmetic surgery regulations issued in 2024 for both the public and private sectors. It establishes an official schedule of permitted procedures for each specialty, such as authorizing cosmetic surgeons to administer anti-wrinkle injections, fillers, and thread lifts.
The regulations set a maximum limit of 8% of body weight or 5 liters per session, whichever is lower. They also require a psychological report from a registered psychiatrist before performing certain cosmetic procedures on patients diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression, eating disorders, or borderline personality disorder. This is a new and notable condition aimed at protecting patients.
