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Health Care

Kuwait has numerous public and private medical facilities that are available to residents and visitors. The medical care in Kuwait is good and approaches U.S. standards. However, not every medical specialty is available. People with special health concerns should consult a physician to determine whether it is appropriate to make the move to Kuwait.

The local government-provided or “public” hospitals and clinics are inexpensive, but can be crowded and not on equal standards with U.S. medical facilities. Therefore, many Westerners opt to use the private facilities, which are more expensive but also less daunting. Medical expenses from both public and private facilities can be filed against the company-provided health insurance.

Pharmacies are plentiful in the city, and medications are easy to get, even without a prescription in some cases. However, not all medications available in the United States are available in Kuwait. It is best to bring a 60- to 90-day supply of medications over during mobilization, in addition to copies of medical and immunization records.

Medical Services on the Desert Camps
When working at the desert camps, the Army has a Troop Medical Clinic for emergencies. Plus, on a space available basis, the TMC will see military retirees and their dependents. Otherwise the facility is restricted to military and embassy personnel.

Vaccinations
Before moving to Kuwait, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends visiting a doctor to determine what vaccinations are needed based on a person’s health and immunization history. For more information on vaccinations, visit the CDC website.

Health concerns
The weather in Kuwait is hot and dry. Summer temperatures approach 140 degrees F in the shade. Severe dust storms are common. These environmental conditions do cause problems for some people. If you know you are susceptible to heat-related problems or have any lung diseases you should be evaluated by a physician prior to travel to Kuwait.

Water
The water supply on any U.S. military installation is regularly monitored for bacteria and is usually considered safe to drink. Tap water off the U.S. military installation is not tested at the tap on a regular basis. Therefore tap water in Kuwait City should not be consumed before being boiled or chemically treated.