Ministry of Health has officially begun implementing new regulations governing the appearance and official uniforms of employees across both public and private healthcare facilities, to strengthen professional identity, improve institutional discipline, and enhance the quality of healthcare services.

The regulations, introduced under a ministerial decision issued by Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi on January 21, establish standardized dress and appearance requirements for all healthcare personnel.

The ministry said the initiative is designed to create a professional work environment, unify the appearance of staff according to their respective roles, and make it easier for patients to identify members of the healthcare team.

In a statement, the ministry said the new policy supports efforts to improve healthcare quality while respecting public values and Kuwait’s diverse society.

It added that a consistent professional appearance will reinforce the sector’s image and strengthen public confidence in healthcare services.

The ministry also warned that failure to comply with the approved appearance and dress code will be treated as a workplace violation and may result in legal or disciplinary action under applicable regulations, reinforcing institutional accountability and ensuring fair implementation.

Under the new guidelines, employees are required to wear official identification badges at all times, maintain high standards of personal hygiene, and ensure tattoos remain fully covered during working hours and on-call duties. Clothing must be clean, modest, and appropriate for the workplace.

The regulations also prohibit clothing displaying inappropriate slogans or advertisements, as well as sportswear, shorts, ripped garments, sports caps, or attire above the knee. Staff are required to wear formal shoes or plain single-colored athletic footwear without bright colors or prominent logos.

In addition, the ministry has introduced standardized professional uniforms tailored to different healthcare professions, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, emergency medical personnel, support medical staff, and engineering employees.

Three standardized designs for clinical scrubs have been approved, covering men’s, women’s, and Islamic women’s styles, alongside dedicated uniforms for nursing staff, emergency medical teams, and Ministry of Health engineering personnel, with designs reflecting the specific operational and occupational safety requirements of each profession.

The Ministry of Health said the new regulations form part of its broader efforts to raise institutional standards, improve workplace professionalism, and deliver a more efficient and patient-focused healthcare system.