Kuwait City: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has introduced a new code of conduct for government and private healthcare facilities to improve hospital operations, protect patients’ rights and clearly define the responsibilities of healthcare professionals and hospital administrators.
The new guidelines, issued through a circular by Health Ministry Undersecretary Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al Sabah, outline the duties and authority of doctors, pharmacists, allied health professionals and administrative departments. The regulations are based on existing laws governing medical practice, pharmacy services and patients’ rights.
Under the new rules, doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals must limit their communication with patients to medical treatment, diagnosis, medication and other healthcare-related matters. They are not permitted to handle administrative, legal or service-related complaints, which must instead be referred to the hospital administration or the relevant authorities.
The circular assigns responsibility for responding to patients’ and visitors’ inquiries, complaints and service-related issues to the hospital administration and public relations departments. These departments are expected to resolve operational issues promptly and ensure that patients receive healthcare services without unnecessary delays.
The ministry also clarified that administrative and service responsibilities cannot be transferred to doctors, pharmacists or other healthcare professionals. Such matters must remain under the authority of the appropriate administrative departments.
According to the Ministry of Health, the new guidelines came into effect immediately upon issuance and are intended to improve the quality of healthcare services, enhance operational efficiency and ensure clear communication between patients, their families and healthcare providers.
