The influence of Islamic and Arab culture on Kuwait's architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle is obvious. The most distinctive characteristic of local Kuwaiti culture are diwaniya. Briefly, it involves large reception rooms used for male social gatherings attended mostly by family members and close friends.
The majority of Kuwaiti nationals are Sunni Muslims; the minority are Shia. Figures have never been published on the number of Shia, but estimates in the 1980s ranged from 15 to 25 percent of the national population. Shia are a diverse group.
The quality of health care in Kuwait is generally high and equal to that in western Europe and the USA, except for highly specialised treatment.Owing to Kuwait’s small population and the numerous medical facilities in the private and public sectors, long waiting lists are almost unheard of.