Kuwait steps up efforts to attract national talent, strengthen workforce
. . . as growing number of Kuwaitis choose the nursing profession
- With nurses accounting for 32 percent of Health Ministry employees, new strategy focuses on training, innovation, AI and sustainable workforce development.
Kuwait’s healthcare sector is seeing growing interest from national professionals in nursing, as the Ministry of Health steps up efforts to develop local talent, strengthen workforce sustainability and improve the quality of patient care.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Sheikh Dr Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah said the nursing sector had witnessed an increasing turnout of Kuwaiti nationals, describing nurses as essential partners in the country’s healthcare system. He stressed that investing in their professional development, training and qualifications would directly improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services.
Speaking at the launch of a specialized workshop titled ‘Innovative Strategies for a Sustainable Workforce’, organized by the Nursing Services Department, Dr Al-Sabah highlighted the ministry’s continued focus on nursing education, professional training and skills development.
He described nurses as the first line of defense in healthcare, given their close and continuous interaction with patients, stressing that their professional capabilities play a vital role in ensuring effective treatment and quality care.
Addressing the multicultural nature of Kuwait’s nursing workforce, Dr Al-Sabah said attracting professionals from different countries and cultural backgrounds required continuous training to strengthen their ability to communicate effectively with patients and the local community. Such efforts would help minimize communication barriers and improve the overall patient experience.
He also pointed to Law No. 70 of 2020 regulating the practice of medical and allied professions, patients’ rights and health facilities, which provides important advantages for healthcare practitioners. The legislation, he said, supports efforts to attract qualified professionals and encourage young people to pursue nursing, a vital specialization on which the healthcare sector depends.
Director of the Nursing Services Department Dr Iman Al-Awadhi said nursing personnel account for approximately 32 percent of the Ministry of Health’s total workforce, underlining their central role in maintaining the continuity of comprehensive healthcare services across Kuwait.
She said the workshop was designed to assess nursing workforce requirements, address recruitment and operational challenges, explore international best practices in workforce planning and talent attraction, and strengthen leadership capabilities.
Dr Al-Awadhi also highlighted the ministry’s growing emphasis on digital transformation, artificial intelligence and evidence-based practices to improve nursing performance and support informed decision-making. These tools are expected to contribute to building a sustainable workforce capable of meeting evolving healthcare demands and international standards.
As part of efforts to encourage innovation, the Nursing Services Department launched the Innovation in Nursing Award in 2023. The initiative recognizes outstanding projects and encourages nursing professionals to translate their ideas and practical experience into solutions that improve patient care and service quality.
The workshop also recognized a group of distinguished nursing professionals for their contributions and innovative projects aimed at advancing Kuwait’s healthcare system. The ceremony was attended by Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi.
