How does the healthcare system work in Kuwait, and which travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the health and healthcare system work in Kuwait?

Health care in Kuwait is of high quality with modern facilities and well-trained doctors. The country has both a comprehensive public healthcare system and a good private sector.
The public healthcare system is managed by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Health care is free for locals, but as an expat you must pay an annual fee. Also, certain treatments such as X-rays are not free.
Public health care for expats is a sensitive issue and possibly health care for expats and locals will be split in the future.
There are many English-speaking doctors available.
Care is available 24/7 in emergencies.

Kuwait is divided into five regions and each region has a public hospital with a 24-hour emergency service. There are also many specialty hospitals.
There are also an increasing number of mental health facilities.
Queues and waiting times are long. The government prefers expats to use private care. Sometimes locals are also given priority.

Private healthcare in Kuwait means better services and shorter waiting times. The private healthcare sector is one of the best in the world.
Many expats choose private care.
The cost of private care is high! So make sure you are properly insured.

In Kuwait you can see a family doctor. You will find these especially at private clinics and health centers.
You can also go directly to a specialist.

For the dentist, you can visit both public and private institutions. This may change if the government decides that expats can only go to the private sector.
It is recommended to check the following things when looking for a dentist: what accreditations does the clinic have, is English spoken, does it have its own laboratory, how long has the clinic existed and whether you can read references.

To have a baby you need a marriage certificate, otherwise you won't be admitted, you won't get a birth certificate for your child and you run the risk of deportation/imprisonment.
Most births take place in the hospital; there are very few home births.
Standards are high for both prenatal, birth and postnatal care.
In addition to hospitals, there are some specialized clinics that support more natural forms of birth.
Abortion is strictly prohibited, with no exceptions.

Crime rates are extremely low.
As a woman, it is best not to walk around alone and especially not at night.
The police are known for slow response time. Also, only a few officers speak English.
There are risks of escalation in the region, keep a close eye on the situation.
There are landmines and other unexploded weapons in Kuwait. Be aware of this.
It is a Muslim country and the rules are strict! Respect local traditions and customs, such as strict gender segregation rules, strict dress code, public affection and a no-tolerance policy (even the death penalty) for matters surrounding drugs.

In Kuwait, you should be particularly mindful of the extreme heat. So make sure you drink enough and avoid being in the sun too much on the hot days.
Sometimes there are dust/sand storms that can cause you to experience respiratory problems.
Also, certain vaccinations are needed/mandatory for Kuwait.
Tap water is desalinated and safe for domestic use, but is not recommended for drinking.

Is the trip to Kuwait and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.