Groups receive final draft of Medical Practitioner Act

Medical associations shed light on content of draft

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 8: The medical associations in Kuwait, including Kuwait Medical Association (KMA), Kuwait Dental Association (KDA) and the Union of Owners of Private Medical Practitioners received the 20th and final draft of the Medical Practitioner Act (MPA) from Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS) after undergoing some amendments, and some additions - including cosmetic surgery, reports Al-Rai daily.

The medical associations issued a statement to shed light on the content of the draft, which included a comprehensive explanation of the rights of patients and doctors in addition to the responsibility of those offering medical services.

The draft also contains important amendments to the protocol of conducting investigation with doctors, and also explains the comprehensive medical insurance coverage, the establishment of an agency with legal capacity to ensure professionalism and transparency in a manner that safeguards the patient’s rights.

The draft also explains the rights of the doctors as implemented globally, noting the medical practitioner’s act will soon be published in the associations’ official websites as a supplement for the forum and media campaign the medical associations started last January .

The statement praised the efforts of Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), which deliberated on the draft for over 500 hours in meetings, discussions and research, and previously through ideal partnership with relevant institutions in a bid to change and develop the Medical Practitioner Act, which was issued in 1981. It has never undergone any review since then, something which does not align with major developments happening since 38 years ago.