A group of seven medical students from various batches of Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital in Kerala have demanded permission to wear head coverings in operation theaters (OTs) due to their religious beliefs. They specifically requested to wear a long-sleeved scrub jacket along with a surgical hood.
As per the news published in Deccan Herald, Dr. Lynette J. Morris, the college's principal had a discussion with the students and that the students were informed about the technical challenges associated with altering the operation theater suit. The students were assured that the matter would be discussed with other relevant parties.
On Monday, the students submitted a formal request to the college's principal, emphasizing that their religious beliefs required them to wear a hijab at all times. They expressed difficulty reconciling their religious practices with the hospital's clothing regulations. To solve this problem, they suggested that they could adhere to both sterile precautions and their religious apparel if they wore a long-sleeved scrub jacket and surgical hood.
Dr. Morris stated that the dressing protocols in operation theaters are determined based on international standards, taking into consideration various technical factors. Therefore, any modifications to the dress code can only be made after thorough discussions and consultations.
In a similar context, last year, the Kerala government dismissed a school student's request to incorporate the hijab and full sleeves as part of the uniform for the Student Police Cadet Project.
Hijab issue was also at the centerstage of controversy last year in Karnatka.
As far as hijab wearing in the operating rooms (O.R.) is concerned, the students may have taken a leaf from Dr. Deena Kishwai - a Chicago based Muslim doctor - who had in the past espoused for wearing Hijab in the OR.
However, the issue is bound to raise a storm as scientifc and technical standards of scrubbing, aseptic precautions, and patient safety will be put to test if accomodations for Hijab are made in the operating rooms.
(Input from Various Media Sources)
(HN)
