Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, has issued new regulations updating clinical and licensing standards for physicians, dentists, and allied healthcare professionals in both public and private sectors.
A key measure focuses on patient safety: medical and dental licenses will not be renewed after age 65 without a comprehensive medical fitness assessment. Practitioners above 65 must undergo reassessments every two years to ensure they remain physically and cognitively capable to practice safely, reports Al-Rai daily.
Under the updated rules, general practitioners may work in private clinics, dispensaries, medical centers, and hospitals, but only in accident and emergency units, outpatient clinics, and inpatient wards. Their practice is limited to internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology, and must be supervised.
Similarly, general dental practitioners may work in private dental clinics, dispensaries, dental centers, and hospitals, restricted to outpatient and emergency services. Supervision is mandatory, and operating room procedures are prohibited.
The regulations also prevent resident physicians and registered assistants from practicing independently in private settings, except within licensed training institutions under approved educational supervision.
To ensure professional competency, all healthcare practitioners must submit their academic qualifications for equivalency verification by the national accreditation authority before licensure. Private-sector physicians and dentists seeking promotions or additional clinical titles must complete at least 100 CME credit hours accredited by the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations.
Licenses in the public sector will be valid for ten years and renewable until age 65 with medical clearance; post-65 renewals require medical evaluations every two years. The same rules apply in the private sector, with professional licenses tied to the operating license of the facility and renewed simultaneously.
Public-sector doctors may convert their licenses to private-sector licenses after leaving Ministry service, subject to fees and facility identification. This excludes those dismissed for disciplinary issues, medical incapacity, or revoked licenses for one year.
The Ministry retains discretion to revoke permits for Kuwaiti doctors working in private facilities outside official hours without explanation. Authorized Kuwaiti doctors may practice in up to three private facilities, with prior written approval from the Health Licensing Department.