The health ministry is planning to reconsider the delivery fees for expats at maternity hospital under ministry of Health. According to local daily Kuwait Times report, the charges could increase by 50 to 75 percent after a study is completed and approved, pointing out that the final decision of acceptance, rejection or postponement will be clearer at the beginning of the new year.

Currently, fees collected from non-Kuwaiti patients registered in the health insurance system, amounts to KD 100 dinars for normal childbirth and KD 150 dinars caesarean section. This include delivery charges, ultrasound examinations, laboratory tests and medicines, but not hospital stay. The study calls to separate delivery charges from fees for ultrasound examinations, laboratory tests and medicines, as well as doubling the price of a private room, the report added.

The total number of births at health ministry hospitals by expatriates exceeds 20,000 annually, while those of Kuwaiti women is only around 8,000.