Kuwait Healthcare System: Guide for Citizens & Expats [2026]

Overview of Kuwait's Healthcare System

Kuwait's healthcare system is built on a foundation of generous government provision. The Ministry of Health (MOH) operates the majority of hospitals and polyclinics in the country, and Kuwaiti citizens receive free or near-free care at public facilities. The private sector has grown substantially over the past decade, driven by demand from the country's 3.3 million expatriate population (who make up roughly 70% of total residents) and by Kuwaitis seeking shorter wait times and premium amenities.

Total healthcare spending in Kuwait exceeds KWD 2.5 billion annually. The government has been working to introduce structural reforms, including mandatory health insurance for expatriates, to improve efficiency and reduce the fiscal burden on the public system.

Ministry of Health (MOH) Structure

The MOH is the primary regulator, funder, and operator of public healthcare in Kuwait. It oversees six health regions corresponding to the country's six governorates (Capital, Hawalli, Farwaniya, Ahmadi, Jahra, and Mubarak Al-Kabeer), each with its own regional health directorate.

The MOH operates 17 public hospitals, over 100 primary healthcare centres (polyclinics), and several specialised centres. It also licenses all private healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and practitioners.

AFIYA Health Insurance System

Kuwait's AFIYA health insurance programme, launched for expatriates, requires all non-Kuwaiti residents to maintain valid health insurance. The programme was designed to shift the cost of expatriate healthcare away from the public purse and toward employer-funded insurance.

Under AFIYA, expatriates receive a health insurance card that grants access to a network of designated hospitals and clinics. Coverage includes outpatient visits, inpatient care, emergency treatment, maternity, and prescription medications. The annual premium is set by the government and is typically paid by the employer as part of the residency permit process.

Kuwaiti citizens continue to receive free healthcare at MOH facilities and are not required to participate in the AFIYA programme. Many Kuwaiti families also carry supplementary private insurance for access to premium private hospitals.

Public vs. Private Healthcare

Public Sector

MOH hospitals and polyclinics provide comprehensive care at no direct cost to Kuwaiti citizens. Expatriates with AFIYA coverage can access designated public facilities, though they may face longer wait times. The public system is strongest in emergency medicine, obstetrics, and chronic disease management.

Primary care is delivered through a network of over 100 polyclinics, with each residential area assigned to a specific centre. Patients register at their area polyclinic and are referred to hospitals for specialist or inpatient care as needed.

Private Sector

Kuwait's private healthcare market includes over 15 private hospitals, hundreds of polyclinics, and a growing number of specialist centres. The private sector attracts patients with shorter wait times, newer facilities, and a broader range of elective and cosmetic procedures.

Major private hospitals include Dar Al Shifa Hospital, Hadi Hospital, Taiba Hospital, Al Salam International Hospital, and New Mowasat Hospital. Several of these hold JCI accreditation.

Key Hospitals

Al-Amiri Hospital

Al-Amiri Hospital, located in Kuwait City, is one of the country's oldest and most respected public hospitals. It operates as a general hospital with strong departments in internal medicine, surgery, and cardiology.

Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital

Mubarak Al-Kabeer is a major teaching hospital affiliated with Kuwait University's Faculty of Medicine. It serves as a referral centre for complex cases and has well-established programmes in nephrology, gastroenterology, and haematology.

Chest Diseases Hospital

A specialised MOH facility focused on pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and respiratory medicine. It served as a key facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kuwait Cancer Control Centre (KCCC)

The KCCC is the national referral centre for oncology, providing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical oncology, and palliative care. It treats both Kuwaiti nationals and referred patients from across the public system.

Health Requirements for Expats

All expatriates entering Kuwait for employment must undergo a medical fitness examination, which includes blood tests (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis), a chest X-ray for tuberculosis, and a general physical examination. This examination is conducted at government-designated medical centres and must be completed as part of the residency visa process.

The medical check is also required for residency renewal. Expats found to have certain communicable diseases may face deportation under Kuwaiti health law. Annual health check-ups are recommended for workers in food handling, education, and healthcare sectors.

Emergency Services

In any medical emergency, dial 112. Kuwait's ambulance service, operated by the MOH, responds across all governorates. Public hospital emergency departments operate 24 hours a day and treat all patients regardless of nationality.

For non-emergency situations, the MOH operates a health hotline at 151 for medical advice and appointment booking.

Major private hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments include Dar Al Shifa, New Mowasat, and Al Salam International Hospital.

Pharmacy Regulations

Pharmacies in Kuwait are strictly regulated by the MOH. Prescription medications require a valid doctor's prescription, and the MOH maintains a list of controlled substances that cannot be imported or possessed without specific authorisation. This includes many medications that are available over the counter in Western countries — including codeine, tramadol, and certain psychiatric medications.

Travellers arriving in Kuwait with prescribed medications should carry the original prescription and a letter from their doctor. Failure to do so can result in confiscation of medications or, in some cases, legal complications.

Pharmacies are widely available across residential areas, and many operate extended hours. Major pharmacy chains include Al Mutawa Pharmacy, Salmiya Pharmacy, and branches of international chains.

Costs Overview

• GP visit (public polyclinic): Free for Kuwaitis; KWD 2 for AFIYA-covered expats
• Specialist visit (private): KWD 15–40
• Emergency room (public): Free for all
• Dental cleaning (private): KWD 10–25
• MRI scan (private): KWD 100–250

Useful Contacts

• Emergency / Ambulance: 112
• MOH Health Hotline: 151
• MOH main switchboard: +965 2484 8075
• Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital: +965 2531 2700
• Al-Amiri Hospital: +965 2245 0005

Explore the full range of healthcare providers across Kuwait — from hospitals in Kuwait City to clinics in Hawalli and Salmiya — in the Zavis Kuwait Healthcare Directory.