KUWAIT: There is no connection between employees' leave permits for periodic medical check-ups at government hospitals and their four monthly leave days, sources clarified. Each type of leave is governed by separate provisions outlined in a decision approved by the Civil Service Council.

According to the sources, if the Medical Authority at the Ministry of Health determines that an employee requires regular medical appointments—whether daily, every other day, or weekly—the employee's supervising authority must grant leave for these visits. Government employees are permitted to leave work for periodic medical check-ups at government hospitals.

This medical leave applies to treatments such as physiotherapy, obstetrics and gynecology follow-ups, dental care, and other necessary medical visits. To request the leave, employees must submit official documentation from the Ministry of Health verifying the need for these appointments, in line with legal requirements, and must adhere to the approved timeframes.

Monitoring the use of this leave falls under the responsibility of the employee’s direct supervisor, with disciplinary measures taken in cases of violations. Importantly, this medical leave does not affect the employee's salary.

As for regular leave, employees are allowed up to 4 days or 12 hours per month. This leave can be taken at the beginning, during, or at the end of the workday. If an employee is unable to sign in or out due to leave, they are exempt from signing in, as long as they sign in or out at another appropriate time.

The sources also praised the "Sahel" app, which enables employees to take up to three days of medical leave per month without needing to visit a clinic.