The Ministry of Health’s decision to hire non-Kuwaiti dentists runs counter to the government’s stance on replacement procedures, Kuwaitization of public sector positions, and the reduction of expatriate workers.
Reliable health sources have disclosed that despite an abundance of Kuwaiti dentists in primary care and specialized centers, the Ministry of Health has given the green light to the recruitment of a substantial number of foreign doctors, reports Al-Rai daily.
These appointments come with higher salaries, adding to the financial strain on both the ministry and public funds. This increase amounts to approximately 1,000 dinars more than what these doctors were receiving from the private companies previously contracted by the Ministry of Health, where they were paid only around 700 dinars.
It’s worth noting that in the past, the recruitment of expatriate doctors with bachelor’s degrees in dentistry had been halted due to the Ministry of Health’s reduced demand, particularly in light of a significant influx of Kuwaiti doctors in recent years.
Sources have issued a warning that the contract for school health programs, specifically oral and dental health, which has been overseen by the American Forsyth Dental Institute for approximately four decades, is nearing its expiration. This development poses a threat to the quality of service and the well-being of children who receive dental care at school health centers.
These sources have called upon the government not to tolerate measures that would further burden public finances or compromise the quality of healthcare services.