Fewer expatriates in government hospitals as free services end

The number of expatriates seeking treatment in government hospitals here has fallen more than 20 per cent since the Ministry of Health banned these hospitals and clinics from providing free services to non-nationals.

A spokesman at the Kuwaiti Hospital, where the majority of patients are expatriates, said 4,593 received medical treatment in May compared with 6,954 in April. Sources at Al Qasimi Hospital told Gulf News that there was a notable drop in the number of expatriates at its 20 clinics last month. The number of patients in May was 594 compared with 1,416 in April.

However, pharmacies have experienced a rise in the number of expatriate customers, who must now buy medicines from pharmacies instead of get them free at the government hospitals.

Dr Mohammed Faragalla of City Pharmacy said that the pharmacy had seen an increase in the number of expatriate customers in May and June. Many sought medicine that was prescribed by hospital doctors.

"Generally, there is a big demand for medicines for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure," he said. Dr Paul from Union Pharmacy said, "Daily, we have been receiving around five or six more prescriptions from expatriate customers since the new rules were applied."

Most pharmacists anticipate a further increase in expatriate customers in the next few months, since many are now away on vacation.