KUWAIT: Doctors have urged the Health ministry to take serious steps to improve their living conditions in the country. They demanded a salary raise that covers their living expenses and annual income levels at par with other parts of the world. Recent press reports quoted ministry officials as saying that the salaries of Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti doctors will be raised between 30 percent to 60 percent.
Kuwait Times asked some Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti doctors about their opinion on the subject. Some officials say many doctors have resigned from services to return to their respective native countries or obtain suitable placements at other GCC countries that offer them several benefits as reported in Al-Dar newspaper.
Dr. Saeed T, a dentist who works in a public hospital said, “We have read many of such articles and we have heard about decisions. Actually, nothing has happened till now. Yes, it’s fair for every doctor regardless of whether they are Kuwaiti or non-Kuwaiti, to receive revised salaries. Every doctor should be given a rent allowance. We are serving a whole nation here. So it’s only fair that the salaries are raised. At the end of the day, nothing will happen and we will not see any raise in our money.
A gynecologist who refused to disclose her name said, “In my point of view, the old doctors deserve higher salaries. This is because they have served Kuwait for more than 20 years. Some even have Master’s or a PhD qualification and experience. The new doctors deserve only a raise of about 10percent of their salaries because they haven’t fully served Kuwait yet.
A pediatrician who requested anonymity had this to say,” All what they say and what we read is great. But nothing has happened since a year ago. This is our right. This raise should be made practicable. If I don’t receive a salary raise, I am going to resign and return to my country. Is it reasonable , that a doctor who works in the Ministry of Health has to pay his own health fee insurance? I think they shouldn’t charge us for that.