KUWAIT CITY, April 15: Minister of State for Communications Affairs, Omar Al-Omar, announced on Tuesday the launch of Kuwait’s first fully integrated digital service within the unified government e-services application Sahel. The new feature, “Newborn’s Journey”, marks a significant step in streamlining government procedures and advancing the country’s digital transformation strategy.

Minister Al-Omar told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ lives through smart technology. “This journey embodies our vision of providing interconnected electronic services that eliminate the need to physically visit government offices,” he said. “It enhances the efficiency of government performance and affirms our commitment to delivering services that align with citizens’ expectations.”

On the healthcare side of the initiative, Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi explained to KUNA that electronic birth registration is now available in all public and private hospitals. This advancement aims to speed up the issuance of official birth certificates.

Dr. Al-Awadhi described the new system as a “qualitative leap in digitizing the birth registration process,” noting that it transitions from the traditional paper-based method to a unified digital system via the Sahel application. “It significantly improves the quality of this important service and makes it easier for families to complete the process, positively impacting their experience with health-related government procedures,” he added.

Speaking on the full scope of the service, Sahel spokesperson Yousef Kazem told KUNA that the “Newborn’s Journey” includes seven connected and simplified steps:

- Naming the newborn

- Issuing a civil number

- Issuing a birth certificate

- Adding the newborn to the citizenship file

- Applying for a civil ID

- Optionally registering the newborn with the supply department

- Optionally requesting the newborn allowance

Kazem emphasized that each step in the process is digitally linked to the next, allowing citizens to complete the entire journey seamlessly and without duplicating information or visiting government offices. “The system was designed according to the highest standards of digital integration and data protection,” he noted.

He also revealed that future updates will include services such as issuing a passport for the newborn and automatic notifications for vaccination appointments. “These additions will further enrich the user experience and demonstrate the ongoing development of digital government services in Kuwait,” he said.

Kazem concluded by reaffirming the collective commitment of all government entities to collaborate under the Sahel platform to launch more “digital journeys” that improve the citizen experience and support the vision of a smart, comprehensive digital Kuwait.