Kuwait is channeling a $10 billion healthcare budget, $608 million in hospital infrastructure, and its first major pharmaceutical factory into a Vision 2035-driven transformation. With partnerships spanning Great Ormond Street to Gustave Roussy and the Middle East's first healthcare PPP, here's the
Healthcare Overview: The Kuwaiti Market in 2026 — Vision 2035, Pharma Manufacturing, and Digital Transformation
By Sarah Chen
Category: Healthcare Market Research
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Kuwait's healthcare market?
Kuwait's pharmaceutical market is projected to reach US$924 million in 2025, growing at a 5.1% CAGR. The broader healthcare market includes hospital services valued at $6.4 billion. Kuwait allocates $10 billion (11% of its national budget) to healthcare, with per-capita health spending of $2,292 — more than five times the global median.
What is Kuwait's Vision 2035 healthcare strategy?
Kuwait Vision 2035 includes a comprehensive healthcare transformation launched in 2023, featuring international partnerships with Great Ormond Street Hospital, Gustave Roussy, and strategic agreements with the UAE, Bahrain, and UK. The strategy prioritizes building 10 new hospitals, launching local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and digitizing all 28 public hospitals.
Does Kuwait have local pharmaceutical manufacturing?
Kuwait has historically been almost entirely dependent on pharmaceutical imports. The Al-Shifa Pharmaceutical Factory, owned by Kuwait-Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries Company, is scheduled to begin operations in March 2026 — marking a major step toward local production and medical self-sufficiency. The contract manufacturing market is valued at $370 million.
What is DHAMAN in Kuwait?
DHAMAN is the first public-private partnership (PPP) healthcare organization in the Middle East, established in 2014 under an Amiri Directive. It operates an integrated healthcare system with over 7,000 employees, including medical insurance programs, primary healthcare centers, and hospitals. Its shareholding includes Kuwait Investment Authority (24%), a private strategic partner (26%), and Kuwaiti citizens via IPO (50%).
How advanced is Kuwait's digital health infrastructure?
Kuwait's digital health lags behind UAE and Saudi Arabia. Currently, Al Amiri Hospital is the only public facility with complete digital healthcare infrastructure. The government has allocated $56 million to digitize all 28 public hospitals through a Hospital Information Exchange platform, representing one of the GCC's largest remaining digital health greenfield opportunities.