Dubai, Oct 8 (IANS) : Kuwait claims it has developed a medical test to detect homosexuals in order to prevent them from entering the country or any of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC), which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Daily Mail reported.

"The health centres will conduct routine medical check to assess the health of the expatriates when they come into the GCC countries," Al Rai newspaper quoted Yousuf Mindkar, the director of public health at the Kuwaiti health ministry, as saying. 

"However, we will take stricter measures that will help us detect gays who will be then barred from entering Kuwait or any of the GCC member states," the official said.

According to the media report, it is illegal to be gay in 78 countries, whereas five countries, namely Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen and Mauritania award the death penalty to gay people.

In Kuwait, a person who is under 21 years of age and is found to be involved in homosexual activities, can receive up to 10 years in prison.