Health and Education
From The Report: Kuwait 2012
View in Online Reader

Free health care is widely regarded as a civic privilege in Kuwait. However, a growing population means that health care provision is starting to strain state finances. A new scheme is therefore underway to encourage private-sector participation to reduce the burden of state care. The Kuwait Health Assurance Company (KHAC) will be launched by 2015, with a mandate to manage the health care needs of all expatriates living in Kuwait (the number of whom is estimated to rise to 2.23m by 2024). Other new schemes, such as the National Development plan and Mobile Health, aim to expand the health sector and provide improved access to – and provision of – health care. In education, the government plans to upgrade public schools, training institutes and universities, both in terms of facilities and curricula. The Ministry of Education, under the Vision 2030 strategy, also plans to build up to 182 schools.
This chapter includes an interview with Dr Kazem Behbehani, Director-General, Dasman Diabetes Institute and former Assistant Director-General, World Health Organisation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Sector shake-up: Restructuring of the system gets under way
OBG
plus

The Kuwaiti welfare state’s two sacrosanct pillars are health care and education. Since 1962, the state has been obliged by law to provide health care to all citizens under article 15 of the constitution. Free health care remains much prized by Kuwaitis and is now widely regarded as a civic privilege to be closely guarded. INDICATORS: The country’s basic health indicators are high by international standards. Life expectancy at birth for males and females in 2009 stood at 77 years, one…

Interview

OBG talks to Dr Kazem Behbehani, Director-General, Dasman Diabetes Institute, and former Assistant Director-General, World Health Organisation
OBG
plus

Interview:Dr Kazem Behbehani How is IT being used to improve health care and, specifically, diabetes treatment? KEZEM BEHBEHANI: Kuwait is close to rolling out an e-system in which not only hospitals but also local medical and primary care centres can have online access to specialised diagnosticians and diagnostic software. There has also been a recent push to develop a standardised system and centralised database which will provide health care professionals throughout Kuwait with more streamlined…

Analysis

A landmark project: Private company to oversee provision of expatriate care
OBG
plus

The introduction of health insurance and broader reform may radically alter the health care landscape in Kuwait – and the wider GCC – over the next 5-10 years. The development of the Kuwait Health Assurance Company (KHAC) is expected to meet some of the future demographic challenges and rising costs that Kuwait will confront in its health care sector. RISING COSTS: The country’s impressive economic growth has attracted increasing numbers of expatriate workers. In 2010, expatriates accounted…

Overview

Many ways forward: Plans include public sector upgrades, engagement with private providers and expanded vocational training
OBG
plus

A complete overhaul is planned for Kuwait’s education sector to prepare for future economic challenges. The government has been under increasing pressure to meet the rising expectations of its citizens, who want a quality education and the tools they need to contend in a competitive regional and global environment. Educational reform is thus at the centre of its long-term development strategy, Vision 2030. In spending terms, education has always received strong government support in Kuwait.…

Analysis

Time for an upgrade: Reforms appear challenging, but necessary
OBG
plus

Following a pilot study, in March 2010 the Kuwaiti government considered extending school hours across the country. This led to furious denunciations of Moudhi Al Humoud, the former minister of education and higher education, claiming she risked destroying Kuwait’s education standards. Six months later the Kuwait Teachers Association followed up on its criticism by urging members to sign petitions against the proposal. STANDARDS IN FOCUS: The incident serves as a reminder that the path to…