Health Minister: Prioritise treatment over moral policing

Public healthcare facilities must prioritise their responsibility of treating patients regardless of their racial background or dress code, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa after a woman was allegedly turned away by Kampar Hospital in Perak for wearing shorts.

The hospital also reportedly reprimanded a doctor involved in the incident and denied that it has issued any orders to deny treatment to patients based on the way they dress.

In a Facebook post tonight, Zaliha (above) said all medical practitioners must remember their Hippocratic Oath, where they vow to help their patients the best they could.

“Referring to news reports about an incident where a woman was barred from entering Kampar Hospital for wearing shorts, I would like to stress here that on principle, every patient must be given priority to receive treatment regardless of their racial background or dress code.

“Every medical practitioner must go by their code of ethics after taking their oath. The Hippocratic Oath, which had to be taken by every doctor and medical practitioner, includes vowing to help patients as best they can,” she said.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that the Health Ministry was investigating an incident on Feb 13, where hospital staff had allegedly refused a woman treatment due to her attire.

Doctor reprimanded

Meanwhile, English daily The Star reported that Kampar Hospital management has reprimanded the doctor involved in the incident.

It quoted hospital director Dr Khairul Azha Azam, who said that they are also taking action to ensure that such an incident would not happen again.

“All patients will be attended to in any situation, especially during emergencies.

“An announcement has been made to inform the hospital staff not to discriminate against patients based on the way they dressed,” he said.

The incident involved one Damien Chan who rushed his friend’s girlfriend to the Kampar Hospital after she complained of sharp stomach pains while playing badminton.

Chan told Nanyang Siang Pau that the woman was refused treatment upon arrival at the hospital as she was wearing shorts and that he had to drive back to the hostel to grab a pair of long pants for her. She was reportedly only allowed entry into the emergency department after changing into long pants.

The report added that the hospital staff defended their action as being well within hospital rules.

Chan and his friends were allegedly scolded and chased out when they pressed the staff for more answers. The group then lodged a formal complaint about the incident to the hospital’s management.

Moral policing?

This is reminiscent of the case where a woman was barred from entering the Kajang District police headquarters to lodge a report on a traffic accident because she was wearing shorts.

The personnel on duty advised the woman to change into long pants, which she did before she was allowed to proceed with making her police report.

Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said that the incident stemmed from “a misunderstanding” between the woman and personnel on duty.

Acryl Sani further reminded members of the public to adhere to the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara, which pertains to courtesy and morality, when visiting government offices.

This case has courted widespread backlash from the public and politicians alike.

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