Kuwait Seeks More Expat Doctors as Local Graduates Fall Short
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait: A critical shortage of doctors in Kuwait has prompted calls from academics and healthcare professionals for a comprehensive plan to bolster medical education. The College of Medicine at Kuwait University, the nation’s primary source of physicians, currently graduates only a fraction of the doctors needed annually. This hinders the nation’s “Kuwaitization” efforts within the healthcare sector.
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Kuwait faces a significant gap between its need for doctors and the number it produces. The healthcare system requires roughly 300 new doctors annually. But the College of Medicine at Kuwait University graduates only a third of that amount. This shortage persists despite the college having the faculty and resources to educate more students. The low intake rate is a critical bottleneck in Kuwait’s ability to meet its healthcare demands.
Medical experts are calling for a significant boost in the number of medical students accepted by Kuwait University. Dr. Adel Al-Hanyan, a former director of medical sciences, believes the College of Medicine can triple its intake to 300 students annually. He emphasizes that the university has the faculty and resources to handle this expansion without sacrificing the quality of education. This increase is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the doctor shortage plaguing the country’s healthcare system.
Reliance on Foreign Workforce
Kuwait’s limited domestic supply of doctors forces them to rely heavily on foreign medical professionals. This dependence stands in the way of the country’s “Kuwaitization” goals. Which aim to increase the number of Kuwaiti citizens working in various sectors. While some Kuwaiti students are sent abroad to study medicine. Universities that don’t meet a certain standard are not considered a viable solution. This highlights the need for a domestic solution to achieve both a sufficient number of doctors and a Kuwaiti-staffed healthcare system.
The Need for a Strategic Approach
Simply increasing medical school intake, while essential, is not enough to solve Kuwait’s doctor shortage. Experts advocate for a multi-pronged strategy. Expanding the College of Medicine’s capacity is a key first step, but additional initiatives are needed. These could involve programs to make the medical field more appealing to Kuwaiti students, potentially through scholarships or improved working conditions for doctors. Additionally, strengthening residency programs could help retain graduates within the Kuwaiti healthcare system. By implementing a comprehensive plan, Kuwait can address the doctor shortage and create a more sustainable healthcare system.
This situation underscores the urgency of developing a comprehensive strategy to bridge the gap between the number of graduating doctors and the nation’s growing medical needs. By expanding medical education opportunities and encouraging more Kuwaitis to pursue careers in medicine, Kuwait can work towards establishing a robust and self-sufficient healthcare system, reported Al Qabas daily.
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