Kuwait City: New treatment rates have come into effect with major changes in the treatment costs of expatriates. The new order comes with additional drug charges of 5 dinars in primary health clinics and 10 dinars in outpatient clinics.
Earlier, the examination fee was two dinars in primary health clinics and emergency rooms of hospitals. Medicines were free. With the new decision, the inspection fee of two dinars will be maintained. Five dinars more will have to be paid for medicines. With this, expatriates will have to spend seven dinars for examination and medicine at primary health clinics.
The Ministry of Health also stated that the examination fee for outpatient clinics will be 10 dinars. Here it will cost 20 dinars for examination and medicine. The Health Ministry’s announcement comes after a ministerial decision to stipulate higher medicine fees for non-residents and those with medical insurance.
The ministry said in a press release that the decision is aimed at preventing wastage of medicines and improving health services. It was also informed that certain areas will be exempted from the fee. However, it is not specified which these are. The Ministry of Health informed that the new rate will come into effect from Sunday. Low treatment rates in Kuwait were a relief for expatriates. With the new decision, expatriates will have to spend more money for treatment.