The Ministry of Health on July 1 ordered the immediate closure of two physiotherapy and rehabilitation centers together with an associated clinic after a specialized inspection committee exposed multiple breaches of operational and licensing rules with the cases now referred to the Medical Liability Authority for review. Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi issued the decision following findings that highlighted systemic failures at the facilities. This action follows a similar ministry decision days earlier to close seven private healthcare facilities including physiotherapy centers for comparable licensing and conduct violations according to a ministry statement distributed on June 29.
The Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Inspection Committee documented that the centers were functioning without a licensed physician or adequate nursing staff while personnel falsely reported that certain employees were on leave or had resigned without any documentary evidence to support those claims. Patients received treatment absent the mandatory medical referrals required under regulations governing such practices and medical records frequently omitted critical patient information or the necessary physician stamp. Nursing staff continued to work despite licenses that expired in February 2025 prompting the referral to authorities for potential liability assessment.
The latest closures form part of the ministry’s regular inspection regime across private health providers. Kuwait operates more than 100 primary care centers alongside a growing private sector that has expanded to meet demand for rehabilitation services according to a 2019 national health white paper prepared for the World Health Organization. Data from the ministry shows such enforcement actions target breaches that could compromise care quality.
In a related development the same day Al-Awadhi inaugurated a week-long public awareness campaign at The Avenues Mall to coincide with World Paramedics Day on July 8 with the initiative set to move to Al-Khiran Mall and 360 Mall over the coming week. The program focuses on first aid education and includes hands-only training sessions designed to equip members of the public. Dr. Fahad Al-Qemlas noted during the launch that the campaign also marks the first anniversary of the First Responder Service.
Al-Qemlas described the training as a way to build community capacity in emergency response before professional teams arrive. The effort forms part of annual ministry initiatives to raise health awareness. Such programs have been held at major shopping centers to reach large audiences.
Abdullah Al-Nafis provided operational figures showing that Kuwait maintains nearly 79 ambulance centers distributed across 13 emergency complexes throughout the country. He added that the First Responder Service now manages 15 to 25 percent of cases directly at the scene reducing the load on hospital facilities. The national air ambulance service handles around 900 cases per year especially in remote locations.
