Healthcare overhaul, new medical hiring rules tie appointments to national exams
. . . for doctors from 2027
In a significant step toward strengthening healthcare standards, the Ministry of Health has approved the implementation of Ministerial Resolution No. 75 of 2026, introducing new requirements and criteria for the appointment of medical personnel, effective January 1, 2027.
Under the new framework, newly-graduated physicians will be required to pass national licensing examinations as a prerequisite for appointment to positions such as Resident Physician or Registered Assistant.
For graduates in human medicine, this includes passing the Kuwaiti Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE), while dentistry graduates must successfully complete the Kuwaiti Dental Licensing Examination (KDLE).
As part of the reform, the decision also provides for the establishment of a Kuwaiti Examination Council under the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations.
The council will be responsible for overseeing and regulating the examinations and will be chaired by the Institute’s Secretary General, alongside a panel of leading academic and healthcare experts.
The move aligns with the Ministry’s broader vision to modernize the professional licensing system and elevate the standards of medical practice across the country.
It aims to ensure that all medical professionals, both national and expatriate, meet rigorous competency benchmarks in line with international standards.
Officials emphasized that the new measures are designed to enhance the quality of healthcare services, strengthen patient safety, and ensure that medical practitioners are equipped with the necessary scientific knowledge and clinical expertise before entering the workforce.
