ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kuwait on Saturday signed a government to government agreement for 600 Pakistani health care professionals to work in Kuwait, special assistant to the prime minister on overseas Pakistanis, Zulfikar Bukhari, told Arab News on Saturday.

Earlier in May, Pakistan announced it would send hundreds of its health workers, including doctors and nurses to Kuwait upon the request of the Gulf state, amid surging rates of infections and fatalities related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“100 doctors, 500 nurses and paramedics as of now,” Bukhari said in a Whatsapp message, and added the numbers could be increased.

“Very happy that Kuwait and us are helping each other in this crucial time,” he said, and added it would increase the bond between the two countries.

The agreement was signed at the headquarters of Kuwait’s Health Ministry.

“Today, Pakistan and Kuwait inked G to G agreement on recruitment of health care professionals. It was signed by, Undersecretary, M/o Health, Kuwait and Ambassador Sajjad on behalf of OEC of Pakistan,” the Pakistan embassy in Kuwait announced in a Twitter post.

Last month local Kuwaiti media reported that Kuwait’s expat doctors stranded in other countries would be flown home in July, including from Pakistan.

Pakistanis make up one of the largest group of foreigners living and working in Kuwait.