To the Sanitation Sector of the Ministry of Health
Since the independence of the State of Kuwait, successive governments have paid significant attention to the health sector, making treatment free and establishing it as an inherent right of citizenship, as stipulated by the Kuwaiti Constitution. They did not stop there; rather, they worked to create an integrated network of hospitals, specialized medical centers, and health centers distributed across all regions. They also sought to attract the best medical and nursing staff, and to provide medications and the latest medical equipment to deliver the highest standards of healthcare.
This interest is reflected in the budget ceiling for the Ministry of Health, which has increased year after year, reaching approximately 2,689,488,000 Kuwaiti dinars for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This places it second in the state’s general budget, according to figures set by the Ministry of Finance to cover the ministry’s various sectors and facilities.
The truth is that the Ministry of Health has achieved many successes according to global health indicators, comparable to those achieved by developed countries. However, this does not preclude the existence of certain observations, nor does it diminish the scale of efforts made.
As a citizen benefiting from these services, I have some observations, particularly regarding certain aspects related to cleanliness, disposal of medical waste, and internal transportation. I was struck by the inefficiency of the workforce responsible for cleaning, sweeping, and disinfecting private and public patient rooms, corridors, and bathrooms in hospitals and health centers. These areas require more attention due to their direct link to patient health and safety. It is unacceptable that some workers do not realize the importance of separating the use of cleaning tools and equipment between bathrooms, patient rooms, corridors, and elevators.
A review of the contracts concluded by the ministry reveals that it has set specific conditions and controls for workers in this sector. However, reality differs from this; some workers do not understand the importance of the tasks entrusted to them and may lack the necessary knowledge. Sometimes, when asked why a place was not cleaned properly, they respond that the reason is a shortage or unavailability of materials.
It is noticeable that the number of workers exceeds actual needs, yet they are occupied with other tasks at the expense of their original duties. They wait and watch visitors and patients, similar to the behavior of sanitation workers at traffic lights. It should be noted that this article is not intended to prevent charity or kindness toward these workers or others.
In conclusion, what if the ministry added a condition requiring workers to hold an accredited professional license, as is the case when hiring hotel staff, and a minimum of a middle school certificate, alongside other qualifications for performing the job? Furthermore, what if it mandated that contracting companies obtain quality certification for work related to cleaning and disinfection?
