KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi has issued Decision No. 15 of 2025, officially approving a new set of school canteen regulations developed by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition. The move follows the endorsement of the Authority’s Board of Directors and the Fatwa and Legislation Department, and the decision will come into effect upon its publication in the official gazette.

The new decision comes nearly a year after the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition updated its regulations governing food allowed at school canteens. The regulations, issued under Ministerial Decision No 5 of 2021, allow only specific healthy foods while banning items such as processed meats, mayonnaise, caffeinated drinks, and high-salt or artificially colored products.

In a statement released Thursday, the Ministry of Health emphasized that the updated regulations are part of Kuwait’s broader national strategy to protect students from unhealthy dietary habits and to improve the quality of food provided in educational institutions. The aim is to create a supportive, health-conscious learning environment where student well-being is a top priority.

The new framework applies to both public and private schools and outlines comprehensive standards covering facility requirements, staff qualifications, food quality, inspection protocols, licensing systems and accountability mechanisms. These provisions are designed to ensure the availability of nutritious and safe meals across all school settings.

School canteens are now classified into three categories based on service type: Canteens selling only pre-packaged food items; canteens offering ready-made meals; and canteens with on-site kitchens for preparing hot meals. School canteen contractors must now meet stricter licensing criteria, including a minimum of two years of experience in food handling, possession of a valid health permit, and full compliance with safety and occupational health standards.

Canteens are also required to adhere to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) technical regulations, particularly those banning trans fats. The guidelines mandate that daily meals include essential food groups and remain within set calorie limits for each school level. High-fat, high-sugar, and high-sodium foods, especially in breakfast and lunch offerings at private schools, are explicitly prohibited.

The new rules standardize food services across all schools in Kuwait, aiming to promote health equity and improve regulatory oversight. Violators face financial penalties ranging from KD 500 to KD 3,000, with the possibility of suspension for repeat or unresolved breaches — highlighting the seriousness of implementation.

The ministry noted that the regulations were developed through close coordination between the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition and the Ministries of Health and Education. This collaboration underscores the importance of institutional partnership in supporting student health and cultivating a safe, nourishing educational environment. — Agencies

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi, announced on Thursday the launch of two pioneering medical projects: the country’s first-ever skin bank and a state-of-the-art microsurgery laboratory. These initiatives align with the Ministry’s broader vision to elevate healthcare performance and provide comprehensive, high-quality medical services across the nation.

The announcement was delivered on behalf of the Minister by Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Support Services, Dr Abdullah Al-Fars, during the opening ceremony of the Second Kuwait Multidisciplinary Conference for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The two-day event is organized by the Babtain Center for Burns and Plastic Surgery, in partnership with the Kuwait Surgical Association.

Dr Ahmad Al-Ali, a burn and plastic surgeon at the Babtain Center, elaborated on the upcoming skin bank project, which will be the first of its kind in Kuwait and the wider region. Designed to store donated skin from recently deceased donors, the bank aims to address a critical gap in treating severe and complex burn cases, offering lifesaving care and hope to patients. He affirmed that this initiative would serve as a regional center of excellence for burn care.

Dr Al-Fars also announced that the Babtain Center is preparing to sign a memorandum of cooperation with Harvard University, aimed at promoting joint medical research and facilitating knowledge exchange through mutual visits. This collaboration seeks to strengthen scientific research and enhance the adoption of evidence-based medical practices.

Dr Ahmad Al-Ali

Dr Abdullah Al-Fars

Dr Mohammad Khalaf

The Babtain Center remains Kuwait’s only specialized center for plastic surgery and burn treatment, and one of the most distinguished facilities of its kind in the region. Since its inception, the Babtain Center has played a pivotal role in advancing specialized healthcare in Kuwait. In the past year alone, it treated over 20,000 patients and performed nearly 1,200 complex surgical procedures. In addition to its clinical excellence, the center contributes significantly to training national medical professionals, including its leadership of the Kuwaiti Board of Plastic Surgery’s residency program, whose first cohort is expected to graduate soon.

Dr Al-Fars also noted the center’s pioneering adoption of advanced treatment services such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and laser treatments. He praised the Babtain Center as a model national institution and reiterated the ministry’s full support for scientific and medical initiatives that reinforce Kuwait’s healthcare leadership in the region.

Dr Al-Ali also addressed the joint research program between the Babtain Center and Harvard University’s Department of Plastic Surgery. As part of this collaboration, Professor Kavita Raghunathan, Head of Facial and Cranial Reconstruction Surgery at Harvard, recently visited Kuwait and performed several complex procedures. He added that progress is well underway to formalize a broader memorandum of understanding with Harvard University, led by a distinguished Kuwaiti team including Dr Mohammad Khalaf and Dr Qutaiba Al-Kandari. The initiative will also engage top surgeons from the Kuwaiti Board of Plastic Surgery.

Dr Mohammad Khalaf, Head of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department at the Babtain Center and Chair of the Conference, emphasized the conference’s role as a leading scientific platform for showcasing the latest global developments in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Experts from Kuwait, the region, and around the world are taking part. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Sara had a lot to look forward to in the final stretch of her senior year. Soon, she would walk the stage she had dreamed of since first grade, with her family and friends cheering for her. For many students like Sara, preparing for graduation goes beyond studying for those crucial finals — it’s also about the celebration afterwards. The excitement of choosing an outfit and planning how to mark the occasion is just as important as the academic achievement.

But a recent ministry of education decision banning schools from holding graduation ceremonies outside school grounds has shattered Sara’s dream, and that of many of her peers. In late April, Education Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabaei issued a directive requiring all graduation ceremonies and school events to be held on campus, specifically in school auditoriums. The ministry has not publicly explained the reasoning behind the decision.

The announcement came just weeks before the school year ends. “The decision was very last minute and it had us all shocked,” said Sara, a Kuwaiti graduating senior. “We’ve been waiting since we were young for this celebration so we could feel appreciated for all the work that we put into school. Now it won’t be the same.”

‘Auditoriums are rundown’

Wearing a cap and gown to mark years of hard work is a meaningful milestone anywhere in the world. But in Kuwait, graduation has become more than a simple school ceremony. In recent years, it has evolved into a lavish celebration, often held in five-star hotel ballrooms or exclusive event halls. Some ceremonies feature extravagant setups — red carpets, indoor fireworks and massive stage displays — far beyond what most school auditoriums can accommodate.

As soon as exams conclude and certificates are handed out, a race begins to book prestigious venues — spaces once reserved for weddings and major public events. These celebrations are now planned with budgets that rival those for Eid or even wedding seasons.

Laura, an expat mother whose daughter is set to graduate next year, said the decision to ban off-campus ceremonies has taken away some of that joy. “For the students, I would think, if you work so hard sitting in those walls all day long, you don’t want to celebrate your graduation at the same place. You don’t want it to feel like recess,” she said.

While the decision calls for holding the event at school auditoriums, critics say it doesn’t address the fact that the facilities are often poorly maintained. “The problem is that school auditoriums are rundown — they need funding and time to be renovated. At our school, the last graduating class to hold their ceremony on campus was before the invasion,” said Abdullah, a high school student, referring to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait 34 years ago.

The ban is especially disappointing for Mariam, Sara’s mother, who had hoped to share her daughter’s big day with extended family — including siblings and grandparents.

When schools host events on campus, attendance is typically limited to just two guests, usually the parents. External venues, by contrast, can accommodate hundreds, allowing families to invite more loved ones — though that often comes at a steep cost. Some parents told Kuwait Times they’ve paid up to KD 50 per guest. Many schools also offer sit-down dinners and professional photography, turning the occasion into a full-scale celebration. “Graduation parties held outside are better organized and just nicer overall,” said Amina, a parent. “Money shouldn’t be the issue when it comes to celebrating your kids — especially high school grads.”

‘Why go that far?’

Yet over the years, many parents and observers have criticized these lavish ceremonies. Costs can climb into the hundreds or even thousands of Kuwaiti dinars per student. Families often feel pressured to keep up, and students from less affluent households may end up feeling excluded. “Of course it’s a celebration of a lifetime but it’s not right to strain your pocket for a party,” said Noura, a mother of three and a grandmother. “It’s a huge chunk of money that’s better spent elsewhere, especially if a family has two or three kids.”

Laura acknowledges the financial burden, but said she believes the recent ban leaves families with no real alternatives. “I think there are more affordable ways to do it — it doesn’t have to be at a five-star hotel,” she said. She added that expectations are tied to the school’s demographic. “It depends on the kind of school you go to,” Laura said. “If the fees are, say, six or seven thousand dinars a year, then most families can afford a more elaborate celebration. But if you’re at a school that charges KD 500 or 600 a year, the expectations shift — you work around what your parent community can afford.”

Noura said the expenses go beyond the ticket price. “The young girls who spend tons of money on getting their hair and makeup done at a salon, as if going to a wedding — why go that far?” she said. “A nice dress under your gown and your cap is enough to make you beautiful like a rose.”

Still, some parents are trying to stay hopeful. “At the moment, I’m kind of hoping they change their minds,” said Laura. “We still have one year left. But if not, then I’ll probably just arrange something small — maybe a dinner at a nice restaurant with some of her friends, our own little celebration.”

Note: Kuwait Times has changed the names of people in this article to protect their identity.