Arab Times, 9 September 2024: The implementation of a new electronic system for sick leave for government employees has proven to be a resounding success, leading to significant improvements in productivity and a substantial reduction in visits to primary healthcare centres.

This innovative initiative by the Health Ministry has yielded remarkable results since its launch, aligning seamlessly with the goals of Kuwait Decision No. 29/2023 which amended the rules and provisions of sick leave.

The new system, accessible through the Health Ministry app and the ‘Sahel’ app, has streamlined the process of obtaining sick leave electronically.

This has not only increased productivity within health facilities but also decreased the number of visits to primary care centres substantially.

By the end of March 2024, the system had demonstrated its effectiveness, and this positive trend continued into the second quarter of the year.

Compelling statistics reveal that from October 2023 to June 2024, the total number of visits to primary care centres dropped by an astonishing 2,095,797 compared to the same period in the previous year.

This reduction translates to an average of 232,644 fewer visits per month, marking a significant shift in the management of health resources.

Furthermore, the average number of visits to each primary care centre saw a remarkable decrease of over 2,000 visits per month, reflecting a positive change in the efficiency of medical services.

In the second quarter of 2024 alone, the number of visits to primary care centres dropped by an impressive 17.7% compared to the same period in 2023.

Between April and June 2024, a total of 2,802,755 visits were recorded, compared to 3,404,451 visits during the same period in the previous year.

The data has also highlighted a decline in the number of unnecessary prescriptions and medications dispensed, further contributing to enhanced productivity and reduced costs.

This decline can be attributed to fewer unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities, thanks to the electronic system’s convenience.

The electronic system, which currently issues one-day sick leaves, has been widely embraced by users for its convenience and efficiency.

Employees can now request and receive approval for sick leave via the app, eliminating the need to visit health centres for short-term leave, saving both time and effort.

Evaluations have confirmed that medical staff are highly satisfied with the new system, as it has saved over 50,000 working hours per month.

These hours, which were previously spent processing sick leave requests, are now being redirected to provide higher-quality care to patients, thereby improving the overall quality of health services.

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