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Kuwait Expat Health Insurance

Kuwait is located in the heart of the Middle East, bordered by Iraq to the north and west, Saudi Arabia to the south and the Persian Gulf to the east. Kuwait is a very small country, covering only about 17,800 square kilometers. The large majority of Kuwait is very flat, with only occasional rolling hills and covered almost entirely by the arid Arabian Desert. The climate is marked by intensely hot summers and cool relatively mild winters with average temperatures ranging from highs in summer of 55°C, to wintertime lows of about 0°C. The nation’s capital, Kuwait City, and its surrounding areas are home to about half of the country’s estimated 3.3 million residents, and the urbanization trend continues to grow at a rate of about two percent annually. Interestingly, the majority of residents in Kuwait are not citizens, but rather expatriates. Currently estimated to number as many as 2 million people, these expats come from a diverse array of countries including India, Syria, Iran, and Egypt as well as a large community of western residents commonly employed in some way with the production of oil. The official national language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken as well.

The discovery of crude oil under Kuwait's soil in the 1930's, and later under the Persian Gulf, has made Kuwait a location of extreme international importance as the world continues to seek to fulfill it's need for petroleum products. This critical commodity and the wealth it brings has launched Kuwait into the modern era with great velocity. Capitalizing on the very high tax imposed on international corporations, the Kuwaiti government has used it's now immense wealth to transform its country into a very modern society. Government funded projects and a keen eye on the future have resulted in undertakings toward infrastructure, education, and health care reform considered impossible even by most western lands. For example, in 2010 a master-plan for improvements was signed into action to upgrade and expand Kuwait's sanitary sewer system with a total of nearly 18,000 kilometers of new or replacement infrastructure to be installed, work is scheduled to begin in late 2011. This type of ambitious public health project, along with what is considered the most advanced network of desalination plants in use in the world will provide clean drinking water and a healthy means of waste water disposal for generations to come. Additionally, education is a major priority as of recent years with the government declaring that it will invest 13 percent of its annual spending on various forms of secular schooling. Education breeds awareness and as a result, levels of health and hygiene are steadily rising among the general populace. Literacy rates now are very high, especially among younger generations and university education is becoming common.

Kuwait Healthcare System

In general travelers to Kuwait should not be overly worried about the spread of communicable diseases as the health of the general population is quite good, and the arid climate is not conducive to pathogen growth. It is advised that prior to visiting Kuwait, travelers receive vaccination for hepatitis A and B, tetanus-diphtheria, measles, mumps, and rubella, typhoid, and rabies as precaution, as well as immunizations required by your home country. More common ailments experienced by visitors to Kuwait are related to climate and weather, such as heat-stroke, sunburn and respiratory problems due to intense heat, dust, and dryness and diarrhea related to dietary changes. Another concern to be aware of are automobile accidents as these are very common in Kuwait and a major cause of injury to visitors.

As mentioned, Kuwait's health care system, overseen and operated by the Ministry of Health, has benefited from the country’s prosperity. Kuwait has a long history of providing for it's people medically. Government funded health care has been available, free of charge in most cases, to all residents for many years. This however, is no longer the case for visitors and non-citizens. While Kuwait still offers government assistance to it's citizens free of charge, or very cheaply at public health care facilities including hospitals, clinics, dental offices, and more, non-citizens should be aware that they do not benefit from this program and are expected to provide their own form of health coverage while in the country, either by paying out of pocket or through private Kuwait health insurance coverage.

Kuwait has two types of hospitals available; public and private. Services and conditions often vary widely between the two systems. Public facilities are open to all and very affordable, the drawback is that sometimes the staff is not well trained and the level of care may be considered poor by western standards. In contrast, it is generally held that private hospitals in Kuwait are well above average and usually considered good even by foreign residents, but payment, by Kuwaitis and foreigners, is to be made by the private individual, sometimes even before treatment will begin.

Reassuringly, very few emergencies will arise that could not be treated domestically, but be aware that some very specialized treatments and practices may not be available. Thanks to government support and international assistance, funding is available for excellent education for doctors and health care staff for private health care facilities and medical equipment is imported from North America and Europe with regularity. Hospitals such as Al Rashid Hospital, Al Salam Hospital, Dar Al Shifa Hospital, and the Hadi Clinic as well as others offer highly trained physicians and very modern western-style hospitals. Some of the advanced services offered by these and other facilities include OBGYN services, pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, plastic surgery, cardiology, dermatology, reproduction and fertilization assistance, laboratory testing, dental surgery, emergency ambulance services and much more. Some facilities also offer eastern medicine and Islamic treatments as well. This level of service comes at a cost and expatriates should not automatically expect their typical homeland based medical insurance to cover the expense.

Health care and insurance are always an area of prime concern when traveling to foreign lands, especially those as remote as Kuwait. In case of an emergency, it is critical that medical care be available as soon as possible, whether that be within the country of if necessary via an emergency evacuation to another health care facility able to treat the situation. It is highly recommended that travelers consult their health insurance provider before departing their home country to check if coverage will be provided. In the event that it will not provide coverage, traveler's or overseas insurance is highly recommended.

Kuwait Expat Health Insurance

Global Health Insurance can help you sort through the often difficult task of selecting the right coverage for you, your family, or travel group. As coverage varies widely from country to country and certain coverage is not available from some companies in particular nations, it is critical to seek the assistance of professionals when making such an important purchase. Our Global Health Insurance Experts will help you, free of charge, to select the coverage that fits your needs and budget and their extensive experience will ensure that the policy or package that you select will cover you regardless of what happens to you in Kuwait. Expat health insurance provides extensive medical coverage and a peace of mind that is priceless should an emergency arise; the last stress that anyone should be forced to deal with should be trying to find a way to make expensive payment for needed treatment. Whether you visit on holiday, for business, or are relocating permanently Global Health Insurance has a plan available that is right for your situation in Kuwait. Expat health insurance plans that we work with allow for great personalisation of your health plan allowing you to add the benefits you need to your coverage plan, so contact Global Health Insurance today.