KUWAIT: Head of Kuwait Medical Association Dr Ahmad Thuwaini Al-Enezi warned against the migration of Kuwaiti and expat doctors from public hospitals to the private sector inside Kuwait, or to other countries due to what he described as the “shaky confidence in the health system,” as well as obstacles facing medical staff in Kuwait. “It is our duty to deal with the obstacles and challenges doctors and the health system are facing, and find a solution for them because the KMA is the legitimate representative of doctors,” Dr Enezi said.

He added that the current medical practice law is old, fails to keep up with the latest developments in the field, and does not provide enough protection for doctors. “KMA carried out its professional role in cooperation with research establishments and conducted a referendum to get a draft for a new law,” he said, adding that after completing the final touches on the law, they found ‘disparity of views’ expressed by the health ministry.

“We asked for further cooperation form the ministry to finalize this law which protects patients and doctors alike,” he said. About bedoon doctors, he said there are nearly 300 doctors who are qualified to work at the health ministry. “We should not ignore them, especially with the shortage of doctors “ in Kuwait, he said. Furthermore, he demanded that the Central Agency for Illegal Residents provides all facilities for bedoon doctors so that they can be hired in the medical field.

By A Saleh