KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Wednesday issued a new regulatory framework to govern the licensing of private mental health treatment and counseling clinics, aiming to organize services, enhance professional standards and safeguard patient rights.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the regulation aims to enhance the quality of mental healthcare services, strengthen safety standards, and reinforce ethical professional practices across private medical facilities. The new framework sets out a series of technical and professional requirements for these facilities, including the need for clinics and centers to be located in accessible areas, the provision of treatment rooms that meet approved technical standards, and the establishment of secure systems for storing patient records to ensure data confidentiality and privacy.
It also specifies the qualifications necessary for professionals operating within these facilities. All practitioners must hold valid licenses from the relevant authorities, and each center is required to employ at least one psychologist with a doctoral degree. Depending on the range of services provided, facilities must also staff certified specialists in psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, speech therapy and occupational therapy. Practitioners must comply with the Code of Ethics set forth in Law No 70 of 2020, in addition to adhering to all applicable technical regulations governing healthcare facilities and medical practices.
The regulation further mandates the use of an approved electronic system for recording patient data, ensuring both confidentiality and effective regulatory oversight. The ministry emphasized that the new framework marks a major step forward in establishing professional governance over mental health services in the private sector. It aims to create a safe, comprehensive, and therapeutic environment that safeguards patient rights while elevating the standard of mental healthcare to meet the highest scientific and professional benchmarks. — KUNA
