Kuwait City: The Ministry of Health has approved new hospital visitation regulations, including the introduction of designated “Quiet Hours”, aimed at improving patient recovery and creating a more supportive treatment environment in government hospitals.
Under the new guidelines, inpatient wards will observe quiet hours daily from 10:00pm to 6:00am, during which unnecessary noise and disturbances will be minimised to support patients’ physical and mental well-being. Certain departments, including emergency units, intensive care units, cardiac care units and operating theatres, will be partially exempt from the restrictions.
The ministry has also standardised visiting hours at government hospitals. Patients may be visited daily between 3:00pm and 8:00pm, while an additional visiting period from 9:00am to 1:00pm will be available on official public holidays. During the holy month of Ramadan, visiting hours will be extended until 9:00pm.
The new policy allows only one companion to stay with a patient when necessary. In general, the patient and accompanying person should be of the same gender, although medical authorities may grant exceptions in special humanitarian circumstances.
The Ministry of Health said hospitals and specialised treatment centres have been given 30 days to implement the new regulations. Officials stated that the measures are designed to enhance patient comfort, improve recovery outcomes and ensure a calmer healthcare environment.
