Deputy Minister of Health: Medical Communication and Accurate Documentation are Pillars for Protecting Patients' and Practitioners' Rights

Deputy Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Abdullah Al-Sabah launched the scientific program “Basic Cultural Competence and Medical-Legal Knowledge in Healthcare,” organized by the Kuwait Medical Association, in the presence of the Association’s Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Ibrahim Al-Tawala, board members, and a number of physicians and healthcare practitioners.

He emphasized that medical communication is a professional responsibility, and that clear dialogue, accurate documentation, and active listening are essential elements in avoiding misunderstandings and safeguarding rights, particularly when dealing with anxious or angry patients, explaining procedures and treatment options, or addressing requests that conflict with professional standards.

He stressed that these skills complement medical-legal knowledge, including informed consent, respect for the patient’s right to accept or refuse treatment, confidentiality, precise documentation, and responsible handling of complaints; all of which serve as pillars that preserve patient dignity, protect practitioners, and enhance public trust in the healthcare system.

Al-Khalifa outlined the evolution of the medical liability framework in Kuwait, beginning with Law No. 25 of 1981, followed by the establishment of the Medical Liability Department in 2019, and culminating in Law No. 70 of 2020, which created the Medical Liability Authority as an independent body tasked with providing technical opinions on medical malpractice cases and professional violations.