KUWAIT CITY – The Health Minister of Kuwait, Ahmed Al-Awadhi, has ordered all public health-supervised facilities to stop accepting cash payments. The directive requires service fees to be collected exclusively through banking channels and electronic payment systems.
The official letter, sent to Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Al-Mundhir Al-Hasawi, instructed circulation of the order to all relevant establishments. The move aligns with Kuwait’s broader digital transformation agenda and aims to enhance transparency in healthcare transactions.
The cash payments ban affects a wide range of facilities. This includes health institutes, men’s and women’s salons, sports clubs, private nurseries, training centers, and businesses handling public health pesticides. Authorities have emphasized that all fees must now be processed through approved electronic systems to ensure proper documentation and oversight.
Minister Al-Awadhi stressed strict monitoring of compliance. Authorities have been instructed to take action against any facility that continues accepting cash payments. Officials say the measure will strengthen governance, reduce the risks associated with cash handling, and improve accountability across public health services.
The decision is part of a comprehensive regulatory package aimed at improving operational mechanisms and financial management in line with Kuwait’s digital strategy. Experts note that such reforms will help modernize healthcare payments while reducing corruption risks and inefficiencies caused by cash transactions.
In a related development, the Committee for the Oversight of Salons and Health Institutes highlighted the importance of informing all relevant regulatory bodies about the new rule. They emphasized ensuring that cash payments are completely replaced with electronic systems and that facilities adhere strictly to the minister’s directive.
The implementation of this measure is expected to streamline service payments, safeguard public health finances, and provide better record-keeping. Officials have assured the public that digital payment methods are secure and convenient, offering a safer alternative to cash payments in healthcare and related services.
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Kuwait’s focus on eliminating cash payments in public health reflects its commitment to modernization, transparency, and the adoption of technology-driven solutions.
