The Ministry of Health issued Ministerial Decree No. 232 of 2026 on August 16 under Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi to create a comprehensive framework governing cosmetic interventions across Kuwait. The decree defines these interventions as surgeries and medical procedures conducted at the patient’s request to improve appearance or body shape while adhering to accepted medical principles. It restricts performance to physicians holding specific qualifications in eight approved specialties including plastic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncology with breast reconstruction, and vascular surgery. Each specialty faces clearly delineated boundaries on the procedures it may undertake.
The decree listed precise allowances for each field while mandating additional credentials for advanced techniques. Plastic surgeons may perform a wide array including botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, thread lifts, laser treatments, hair transplantation and operations such as abdominoplasty or liposuction. Dermatologists received approval for neurotoxin injections, fillers, chemical peels and various laser applications while ophthalmologists may conduct eyelid and periorbital work. Otolaryngologists, general surgeons, gynecologists, oral and maxillofacial specialists, oncologists and vascular surgeons similarly received tailored lists with the decree requiring either a 12-month accredited fellowship or five years of documented experience before practitioners may attempt advanced procedures in their domain.
According to the decree, liposuction faces some of the most rigorous controls to protect patient safety. Practitioners must demonstrate specialized training and experience, provide thorough explanations of risks and benefits, obtain written informed consent and ensure the presence of a qualified anesthesiologist and nurse throughout the procedure. The rules cap fat removal at five liters in day-surgery settings with mandatory hospitalization for larger volumes and explicitly prohibit the operation for weight-loss purposes or on patients with a body mass index exceeding 35. Comprehensive documentation including preoperative and postoperative photographs plus detailed records of fluids and fat volumes must accompany every case.
The decree further regulated laser and energy-based devices by requiring that nursing staff hold radiation protection licenses and operate exclusively under direct supervision of a qualified physician. It introduced mandatory psychological evaluation for patients exhibiting signs of body dysmorphic disorder or related conditions with a report from an accredited psychiatrist remaining valid for only three months. Informed consent processes must cover all potential complications while facilities bear responsibility for managing any adverse events including admission to the patient’s chosen hospital and submission of detailed incident reports to specialized ministry committees.
The decree takes immediate effect upon issuance and will appear in the Official Gazette where it supersedes any conflicting prior decisions. It applies uniformly to both public and private sectors with the ministry directing all facilities to align their practices accordingly. Al-Awadhi signed the document as part of ongoing efforts to standardize care amid expanding demand for aesthetic treatments.
Grand View Research data places the Middle East cosmetic surgery and procedure market at USD 1.93 billion in 2024 with projections indicating growth to USD 4.27 billion by 2033 as consumer interest continues to rise. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported liposuction as the leading global surgical procedure in 2023 with more than 2.2 million cases performed underscoring the relevance of the new volume and patient-selection limits. Market Research Future separately forecast the broader GCC cosmetic surgery sector to expand from USD 3.5 billion in 2025 to USD 7.25 billion by 2035 reflecting sustained regional momentum that the Kuwaiti regulations now seek to channel through tighter controls.
