Kuwait to enforce premarital health checks from April 1

Dubai: Kuwait will require all couples seeking marriage to undergo medical examinations, regardless of nationality, under updated regulations set to take effect on April 1, the Ministry of Health said.

Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al Awadhi has approved new executive regulations for Law No. 31 of 2008, which mandates premarital medical screening to help curb genetic and infectious diseases.

The changes, published in the Official Gazette, broaden the scope of the tests to cover all marriage contracts in Kuwait, including those between non-Kuwaitis.

The updated rules will also introduce digital applications to streamline the examination process, part of efforts to modernise health services and improve efficiency, the ministry said.

Authorities say the move reinforces Kuwait’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring early detection of potential health risks before marriage.