Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Capital : Kuwait City Population: 4. Kuwaitis suffer from high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cancer. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, Kuwait is the fourth most obese country in the world. Although the population is young, the disease burden is a growing concern. The government operates 15 general and specialized hospitals. The goal is to add 5, beds, operating rooms, and outpatient clinics to the current 7, hospital beds countrywide.
Currently, Kuwait has two hospital beds per 1, people. This represents a stark undersupply in the face of population growth and the rising disease burden.
According to the Ministry of Health, the private sector will be instrumental in the overall development of the medical sector. Currently, a total of 12 private hospitals totaling 1, hospital beds provide private medical services in Kuwait.
Several new private hospitals are expected to open in the next few years, adding 1, hospital beds. Although the government offers free healthcare services, patients are willing to pay a premium for private treatment in order to reduce waiting times and treatment schedules.
In certain fields, such as obstetrics and gynecology, local patients pay a premium for high-end services offered by private hospitals. The healthcare sector is witnessing some reform initiatives. One of the reforms includes broadening public-private partnerships and giving the private sector a larger role in the provision of healthcare services.
