The Ministry of Health announced that cultivation of narcotic plants will be permitted only under licenses granted for medical or scientific research purposes to specified entities. The ministerial decree sets detailed requirements covering the full licensing process, comprehensive documentation, secure preservation of seeds and plants, tracking of all movements, site security protocols, continuous monitoring and submission of periodic reports. Coordinated procedures for managing any loss or destruction of crops were included in the orders issued by the minister.
A separate decree from the ministry regulates possession and dispensing of psychotropic substances on international aircraft and ships. Limited quantities are allowed solely for first-aid kits and emergency situations, with custody responsibilities assigned to licensed medical practitioners or qualified first-aid staff. The rules specify strict standards for storage, dispensing, documentation and handling of any losses that occur during transport.
Production and manufacture of medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances are restricted to factories licensed by the ministry under the terms of a further decree. These regulations address registration procedures, secure storage requirements, dispensing protocols, inventory controls, movement tracking, mandatory reporting and arrangements for official inspections. The ministry indicated that the measures will help prevent unauthorized diversion while supporting legitimate medical supply needs.
The ministry has established a Customs Follow-up and Coordination Department under the office of the undersecretary to speed up clearance processes for medical shipments. This new unit will strengthen cooperation with the General Administration of Customs and will maintain centralized databases along with statistical records on such imports. Officials expect the department to reduce delays affecting delivery of essential pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
Health Minister Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi amended existing regulations governing cosmetic surgeries and interventions in both government and private sectors, according to the ministry. The updates define authorized medical specialties, set minimum qualifications and experience levels for physicians, and outline the exact scope of procedures permitted within each field. Updated lists of allowable interventions were issued for areas including plastic surgery, dermatology, ear nose and throat procedures, general surgery, obstetrics, maxillofacial surgery and vascular treatments.
Nursing staff may perform laser procedures only after securing specific licenses, completing approved training programs and operating under direct supervision of a qualified physician who must evaluate the patient before every session, the decree stated. Patients showing signs of certain psychological conditions are required to undergo professional assessment prior to any cosmetic surgery. The amended framework also establishes standardized mechanisms for managing complications, conducting follow-up care and maintaining complete medical records.
The ministry created an Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Department at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center to develop and manage a comprehensive national cancer database. This unit will enhance monitoring capabilities, improve data quality and support advanced analysis that informs prevention and treatment strategies. Cooperation with the World Health Organization on cancer initiatives forms a key component of the new department’s mandate.
