Kuwait has a very sophisticated health information system, and all data regarding morbidity and mortality, as well as vital health statistics, are accurate and reliable. Ever since its independence in 1961, the leaders of Kuwait planned for it to become a welfare state, and in effect Kuwaiti citizens enjoyed one of the most comprehensive welfare systems in the world. The health plan, as part of the total socio-economic development plan and health policy, is based on three principles: maintenance and promotion of health in the people; improvement of physical, mental and social well-being of the people; and reducing morbidity, disability and mortality as much as possible. In this respect, health goals have been defined as long-term and medium or short-term. The health system is based on three levels of health care delivery: primary, secondary and tertiary health care. Primary health care is delivered through a series of health centres, with general or family health clinics, maternal and child care clinics, diabetic clinics, dental clinics, and preventive care clinics, school health services, ambulance services and police health services are also available. Secondary health care is provided through six general hospitals. Tertiary health care is provided through a number of national specialised hospitals and clinics. The regionalisation of the health care delivery system is now complete so that each of the six general hospitals, along with a number of health centres which refer to it, constitutes a health region. The regionalisation of the health system, which covers six health regions, has resulted in more efficient delivery of health services.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the establishment and functioning of the health care network.

During the Iraqi invasion, most medical facilities were devastated and reduced to shambles. One of the Government's primary tasks after liberation was to bring health care system back on rails in the shortest possible time.