AGP Executive Report

Tobacco Crackdown: Kuwait’s Health Ministry issued new tobacco and nicotine rules, banning online sales and deliveries, raising the minimum purchase age to 21, and extending restrictions to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco—effective 1 January 2027. Evidence-Based Therapy: A new ministerial decision bars psychotherapists and counselors from offering or promoting treatments not backed by proven scientific evidence, including Reiki and NLP, with set compliance timelines for private and government practitioners. Cosmetic Surgery Controls: Kuwait tightened oversight of cosmetic procedures, defining which specialties can perform which treatments and adding requirements around physician qualifications, consent, and complication management. Food Safety Enforcement: Inspectors in Al Jahra recorded 40 violations and shut 5 facilities, while Kuwait seized about 180kg of rotten beef and mutton after seal tampering. Kidney Care Boost: A new Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Kidney Dialysis Center in Ahmadi is set to serve hundreds of dialysis patients once fully operational. Medical Education: Arabian Gulf University launched the “Gulf Medical Camp” for 60 GCC students to simulate medical college study and admissions pathways. Health Sector Compliance: Kuwait also reported action against an unlicensed home clinic operator accused of issuing sick leave certificates and selling herbal mixtures.

Kuwait Health Policy: The Ministry of Health issued new rules tightening cosmetic surgery and procedures, defining what counts as cosmetic interventions and restricting treatments to approved medical specialties with specific physician qualifications, consent requirements, and complication management. Tobacco & Nicotine Crackdown: Kuwait also introduced sweeping tobacco and nicotine regulations effective from 1 January 2027, banning online sales and deliveries, setting the minimum purchase age at 21, and extending restrictions to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Food Safety Enforcement: In Al Jahra, inspectors recorded 40 violations and closed five food facilities, while Kuwait authorities seized about 180kg of rotten beef and mutton after finding foul odors and tampered seals. Kidney Care Boost: A new Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Kidney Dialysis Center in Ahmadi is set to serve around 500 hemodialysis and 100 peritoneal dialysis patients. Unlicensed Care Case: Authorities arrested a woman accused of treating patients from her home, issuing sick leave certificates, and selling herbal mixtures without proper licensing. Public Health Infrastructure: Kuwait is creating pediatric units for stem cell and gene therapies, with the MoH setting up related stem cell and gene therapy units.

Tobacco crackdown: Kuwait’s Health Ministry issued Ministerial Decision No. 237 of 2026 to tightly regulate tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, nicotine liquids, pouches and other delivery systems—banning sales, display and distribution in nurseries, schools and universities, and also restricting sales at grocery outlets, kiosks, exhibitions, vending machines and online via websites, apps, social media and delivery services. Unlicensed care bust: Kuwait authorities arrested a woman accused of treating patients from her home, issuing sick leave certificates and selling herbal mixtures, seizing cash, devices and patient records after surveillance linked the operation to unlicensed medical activity. Child safety after stabbing: Kuwait’s Interior Minister visited two stabbed children at Adan Hospital, directing full medical support and monitoring while authorities continue investigations and legal action against the mother. Health infrastructure: Kuwait is setting up stem cell and gene therapy units, including new pediatric units for these services, as part of expanding advanced care capacity. Public health context: A global diabetes snapshot lists Kuwait among the highest-prevalence countries, underscoring the need for prevention and early screening.

Violence & Safety: Kuwait’s Interior leadership reiterated zero tolerance for crimes that endanger society after visiting two children stabbed by their mother; authorities say the suspect was arrested and medical teams are monitoring the children’s recovery. Serious Injury Case: A 24-year-old man remains in critical condition after first- and second-degree burns to his feet and chest in an incident near a gas station, with police treating it as attempted murder while searching for suspects. Pediatric Advanced Care: Kuwait’s Health Ministry issued a decree creating two independent units for stem cell transplantation, gene therapy and advanced treatments for children at Kuwait National Bank Specialized Children’s Hospital, aiming for fair access and no case monopolies. Diabetes Foot Expertise: Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital’s diabetic foot surgery and hyperbaric oxygen center received Level IV international accreditation from SOMMIM, reporting 520+ patients treated since 2023 and 10,500+ hyperbaric sessions. Health Regulation & Fraud Crackdown: Police arrested an Azerbaijani woman for running an unlicensed clinic from her home in Jaber Al-Ahmad City, seizing KD 11,651 worth of medical items and herbal preparation materials. Education for Health Futures: KFAS’s PRE 2026 program wrapped up, helping students explore university majors including medical pathways through workshops, labs and field visits.

Kuwait Health Policy: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has issued a decree creating two independent units for stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, cell therapy and advanced treatments for children at Kuwait National Bank Specialized Children’s Hospital, aiming for equal access and no case monopolies. Accreditation & Diabetes Care: Jaber Center for Diabetic Foot Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital received Level IV international accreditation from the Society for Undersea Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine (SOMMIM), after treating 520+ patients and delivering 10,500+ hyperbaric sessions since 2023. Health Safety & Enforcement: Kuwait’s criminal security sector arrested an Azerbaijani woman for practicing medicine without a license and running an unapproved clinic from her home, seizing KD 11,651 and medical equipment. Migrant Worker Support: A regional initiative set up seven one-stop centres in Gulf cities, including Kuwait, offering 24/7 helplines plus medical, legal and psychological support for distressed Indian women workers. Family Security: Kuwait’s Interior Minister visited two injured children at Adan Hospital after they were stabbed allegedly by their mother; authorities arrested the suspect and investigations are ongoing. Global Health Context: A diabetes ranking report lists Kuwait among the world’s highest-prevalence countries (25.6% in 2024).

Pediatric Safety in Focus: Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said it will not tolerate acts that threaten societal security after two children were stabbed by their mother; the suspect was arrested and the First Deputy Premier/Interior Minister visited the injured kids at Adan Hospital to check on their condition and treatment. Diabetes Snapshot for Kuwait: A global diabetes ranking report using IDF Diabetes Atlas data places Kuwait among the highest-prevalence countries, highlighting a growing burden that affects roughly one in four adults in the 20–79 age range. Advanced Care Expansion: Kuwait’s MoH issued a decree creating two independent units for stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, cell therapy and advanced treatments for children at Kuwait National Bank Specialized Children’s Hospital, aiming for equal access and shared resources. Accredited Specialized Treatment: Jaber Center for Diabetic Foot Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital received Level IV international accreditation from SOMMIM, citing safety standards and reporting 520+ patients treated since 2023. Health Regulation Enforcement: Kuwait arrested an Azerbaijani woman for practicing medicine without a license and running an unapproved clinic from her home, seizing KD 11,651 and medical equipment.

Pediatric Advanced Therapies: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has set up two independent units for stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, cell therapy and advanced treatments for children at Kuwait National Bank Specialized Children’s Hospital, aiming for equal access and no case monopolies. Diabetic Foot Care Upgrade: Jaber Center for Diabetic Foot Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital received Level IV international accreditation from SOMMIM, after treating 520+ patients and delivering 10,500+ hyperbaric sessions since 2023. Pharmacy Rules Tightened: Kuwait issued new regulations for private pharmacies, including a 1,000-metre distance requirement from the nearest pharmacy (with exceptions) and stricter rules on licensing, storage, dispensing and delivery. Stem Cell/Gene Therapy Governance (Follow-up): The decree also stresses continuity of care and clear medical responsibility for patients treated by each unit. Enforcement Against Fake Care: Police arrested an Azerbaijani woman running an unlicensed clinic from her home in Jaber Al-Ahmad City, seizing KD 11,651 and medical equipment used for consultations and herbal mixtures.

Stem Cell & Gene Therapy Expansion (Pediatrics): Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has issued a decree creating two independent units for stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, cell therapy and advanced treatments for children at Kuwait National Bank Specialized Children’s Hospital, aiming for equal access and shared resources without any treatment being monopolized. Hyperbaric Care Upgrade: Jaber Center for Diabetic Foot Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital received Level IV international accreditation from the Society for Undersea Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine (SOMMIM), following an assessment of services, equipment and safety; since opening in 2023 it has treated 520+ patients and delivered 10,500+ hyperbaric sessions. Pharmacy Regulation Tightens: The Ministry of Health issued new rules for private pharmacies, including a 1,000-metre distance requirement from the nearest existing pharmacy (with exceptions), plus licensing validity and detailed standards for storage, dispensing and delivery of medicines. Unlicensed Clinic Crackdown: Kuwait’s Criminal Security Sector arrested an Azerbaijani woman accused of practicing medicine without a license from her home in Jaber Al-Ahmad City, seizing cash and medical equipment and referring her for legal action. Access & Inclusion (Kuwaiti Sign Language): A local researcher says fewer than 10 people have high-level Kuwaiti Sign Language teaching skills, despite 5,444 registered people with hearing disabilities—highlighting a training and opportunity gap. Youth & Community: The “Kafa’a 2026” forum will be held Oct 26 at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, focusing on how Kuwaiti youth can build the future.

Kuwait Health Policy: The Ministry of Health has issued new rules for private pharmacies, including a 1,000-metre distance requirement from the nearest existing pharmacy, plus tighter standards for licensing, storage, dispensing, and delivery of medicines. Weight-loss Safety: Kuwait’s MoH also introduced updated regulations for bariatric surgery and non-surgical interventions, setting standards for patient selection, follow-up, and monitoring of complications, with eligibility based on health status (no fixed upper age limit) and defined categories of procedures. Medical Education in the Region: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar ran its Medical Minds Online Programme, bringing together 84 high school students (including from Kuwait) for a week of interactive sessions on medicine and science. Transplant Hope in the Gulf: A UAE patient story highlights how the country’s national organ donation and transplant program is expanding access, with over 1,195 transplant procedures reported under the Hayat initiative. Gaza Health Impact: Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 45 deaths since Aug 1 amid ongoing strikes, underscoring the strain on medical services.

Pharmacy Rules Update: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has issued new regulations for private pharmacies, including a 1,000-metre distance requirement from the nearest existing pharmacy, plus rules on licensing (4-year validity), relocation, storage, dispensing, and delivery. Bariatric Surgery Tightening: The MoH also introduced new standards for bariatric and non-surgical weight-loss procedures, covering patient selection, procedure categories, follow-up, and monitoring of outcomes and complications. AI in Healthcare: Kuwait’s MoH published a practical guide for using AI language tools and large language models in healthcare, stressing that outputs are not final medical recommendations and banning the upload of patient-identifying or confidential data to unapproved platforms. Workers’ Cities & Public Health: Experts say Kuwait’s push for integrated workers’ cities must include fire safety, essential services, transport, and health requirements—not just housing. Youth Health & Sports Camp: The “Homeland… Giving and Loyalty” camp is underway, offering Kuwaiti girls a mix of sports, health awareness, and skills through a two-month program. Medical Education Spotlight: Qatar’s WCM-Q ran a Medical Minds Online Programme for high school students, including participants from Kuwait, to introduce medicine careers through interactive sessions.

Bariatric care tightened in Kuwait: The Ministry of Health issued a new decree regulating bariatric surgeries and non-surgical interventional procedures in public and private facilities, setting standards for patient selection, procedure types, follow-up, and monitoring outcomes and complications. Surgery safety rules: A separate MoH decree regulates surgical procedures and medical interventions, linking doctors’ privileges to specialization and licensing, requiring informed consent, clear team identification, and stronger supervision and post-op documentation. AI in healthcare gets a Kuwait framework: MoH approved a practical guide for using AI language tools and large language models, stressing that AI outputs are supplementary only, banning staff from entering patient identifiers or confidential medical data into unapproved platforms. Emergency preparedness funding: Kuwait Emergency Response Fund contributions reached KD 75.37 million from 68 public and private entities, supporting rapid response and priority projects. Health workforce pipeline: Indonesia’s “SMK Go Global” program outlined healthcare roles (caregivers and nursing home staff) and destinations including Kuwait, alongside other sectors. One Health and AMR focus: KISR, with PAAAFR and WHO Kuwait, ran a workshop on accrediting veterinary labs to strengthen animal health, biosecurity, and antimicrobial resistance readiness.

Bariatric safety overhaul: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health issued a ministerial decree tightening rules for bariatric and metabolic surgery, including patient selection, facility standards, follow-up, and outcome monitoring, with no fixed upper age limit and eligibility based on overall health; it also sets standards for non-surgical options like gastric balloons and endoscopic sleeve procedures. Surgical oversight upgrade: A separate MoH decree regulates surgical procedures and medical interventions in public and private hospitals, linking doctors’ powers to specialization and privileges, requiring informed consent, team disclosure, and stronger supervision plus post-op care documentation. AI in healthcare, with guardrails: MoH approved a practical guide for using AI language tools and large language models, stressing that AI outputs are supplementary only and banning staff from entering or uploading patient identifiers or confidential medical data into unapproved platforms. Emergency readiness boost: The Kuwait Emergency Response Fund reached KD 75.37 million from 68 public and private entities, supporting rapid response capacity and prompting technical reviews of new requests from key ministries. Public health enforcement: Food safety inspectors in Farwaniya issued violation reports and ordered destruction of 173kg of unfit food. Air quality alert: Kuwait City was among the more polluted spots regionally, with an AQI reading reported at 169, classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Kuwait Healthcare Regulation: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health issued a ministerial decree regulating surgical procedures and medical interventions across public and private facilities, tying doctors’ permitted procedures to their specialization, license and privileges, and requiring informed consent, team identification, and stronger supervision plus post-op monitoring. Kidney Care Expansion: The Jaber Al-Ahmad Kidney Dialysis Center in Ahmadi opened with 83 dialysis units and capacity for 600+ patients, offering services including pharmacy, labs and emergency care. Emergency Preparedness Funding: Kuwait Emergency Response Fund reached KD 75.37m from 68 public and private contributors, with KFAED saying preliminary requests are already coming from ministries including Health. Food Safety Crackdown: Farwaniya inspections led to destruction of 173kg of unfit food, while the General Authority for Food and Nutrition issued violation reports and said more warehouse checks will follow. AMR & Veterinary Labs: KISR, PAAAFR and WHO Kuwait are running a workshop on accrediting veterinary laboratories to strengthen animal health, biosecurity and antimicrobial resistance readiness under a One Health approach. Energy Drink Limits: Kuwait’s restrictions on high-caffeine energy drinks are pushing youth toward alternatives like coffee and matcha, as authorities aim to reduce risks from excessive caffeine.

Surgical Safety in Kuwait: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health issued a ministerial decree regulating surgical procedures and medical interventions in public and private facilities, tying doctors’ ability to perform procedures to their specialization, license and professional privileges, and requiring informed consent, team identification, and proper documentation plus post-op monitoring. Dialysis Access Boost: The Ministry of Health inaugurated the Jaber Al-Ahmad Kidney Dialysis Center in Ahmadi, adding 83 dialysis units and capacity for 600+ patients when fully operational, with services including pharmacy, labs and emergency care. One Health & AMR Training: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and agriculture authorities, with WHO support, ran a workshop on accreditation requirements for veterinary laboratories to strengthen animal health, biosecurity and antimicrobial resistance surveillance under a One Health approach. Food Safety Crackdown: General Authority for Food and Nutrition inspections in Farwaniya led to five violation reports and destruction of 173kg of unfit food. Public Health Regulation for Energy Drinks: Kuwait’s restrictions on high-caffeine energy drinks are pushing youth toward alternatives like coffee and matcha, as the rules aim to reduce risks from excessive caffeine. Animal Disease Controls: Kuwait is listed among countries affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, prompting wider regional import controls elsewhere to protect livestock health. Compliance Checks: Kuwait Municipality’s Farwaniya campaign issued 28 violations and seven warnings for businesses over licensing and advertising rules.

Food Safety Enforcement: Kuwait’s General Authority for Food and Nutrition carried out Farwaniya warehouse inspections, issuing five violation reports and ordering the destruction of 173kg of unfit food to protect consumers. New Dialysis Capacity: Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi inaugurated the Jaber Al-Ahmad Kidney Dialysis Center in Ahmadi, adding 83 dialysis units and services including pharmacy, labs, emergency care, and administrative support. Youth Nutrition Push: Kuwait’s restrictions on high-caffeine energy drinks are nudging young people toward alternatives like coffee and matcha, as the policy aims to reduce risks from excessive caffeine. Public Health via Animal Disease Controls: The Philippines banned animal imports from several countries after foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, including Kuwait, to safeguard livestock and food security. Health Crime Crackdown: Kuwait’s morality police raided a Farwaniya apartment allegedly used as an illegal liquor factory, uncovering bottles, barrels, and distillation equipment under unsanitary conditions. Care Access & Community Support: Kuwait Red Crescent opened a specialized eye hospital in Yemen’s Marib under the “Kuwait Stands by You” campaign, expanding access to specialized treatment.

Major Health Upgrade: Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi inaugurated the Jaber Al-Ahmad Kidney Dialysis Center in Ahmadi, funded by the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s heirs, featuring 83 dialysis units and space for 600+ patients at full capacity, plus pharmacy, lab, emergency and admin services. Youth Nutrition Watch: Kuwait’s restrictions on high-caffeine energy drinks are pushing young people toward alternatives like coffee and matcha, with the policy aimed at reducing risks from excessive caffeine. Public Health & Safety: Kuwait morality police raided an illegal liquor manufacturing operation in Farwaniya, seizing 180 bottles ready for sale, 18 barrels of liquor and distillation equipment, with reports of extremely unsanitary conditions. Maternal Care Spotlight: A new Kuwait Times feature highlights how women are returning to more personalized childbirth support, including the growing role of doulas alongside traditional daya practices. Animal Health Alert: Philippines authorities banned imports of live animals and certain animal products from seven countries after foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, including Kuwait, to protect livestock and food security.