KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: The Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi issued a decision to refer seven doctors for investigation and close six private health facilities after some of these facilities published pictures that contradict the ethics, rules, and principles of the medical profession. Dr. Al-Awadhi referred the incident to the Medical Liability Authority, in implementation of the provisions of law No. 70/2020 that regulate the medical profession and its auxiliary professions, patients’ rights, and health facilities, and the ministerial resolution No. 87/2023 regarding the controls for regulating medical advertisements in the private health sector.

The decisions violated the guidelines set forth by ministerial resolution No. 87/2023, which governs medical advertisements in the private health sector. Specifically, Article 20 mandates that medical advertisements display only the minimum of the patient’s body necessary to convey medical information, ensuring modesty and adherence to public morals without exaggerating the display of the patient’s body or its parts.

Inspection teams and specialized technical committees have identified violations, including the publication of images by some facilities that contradict the ethics, rules, and principles of the medical profession. In this context, a decision has been made to refer seven doctors for investigation for similar violations. The ministry reaffirms its commitment to ongoing inspection and oversight of health facilities to ensure that services are provided per professional principles and established rules.

The ministry calls for full adherence to the relevant standards and legislation, stressing that these measures aim to safeguard the health and safety of citizens, enhance the quality of health services in the country, and ensure that all health facilities operate in line with the highest international quality standards

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi and Munif Naif
Seyassah/Arab Times Staff