Kuwait to link new work permits to health facilities

The advisory committee of Ministry of Interior overseeing demographic issues has proposed a linkage between the expansion of work permits for foreign workers from multiple countries and the establishment of health insurance hospitals and dispensaries for expatriates, according to sources within the residency sector of MoI.

The committee, as revealed by the sources, has evaluated a report submitted by the company responsible for constructing and operating these medical facilities. The report indicated the completion of three hospitals and twenty dispensaries, with ongoing efforts to operationalize them and provide necessary medical staff in coordination with the Ministry of Health. However, no definitive timeline has been set for the completion of this process.

It was emphasized by the committee that the expansion of the labor market to include new foreign workers should be synchronized with the availability of adequate health facilities for expatriate workers. Failure to do so, the committee warned, could lead to increased pressure on government healthcare facilities. Additionally, the committee is closely monitoring reports on the residency sector to track the number of violators who are expected to regularize their status or leave the country within the grace period set by the Ministry of Interior, ending on June 17.

Security estimates suggest that the current number of violators, encompassing various nationalities, ranges between 120,000 to 140,000, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues.