Al-Islam Hospital: Long sleeves won’t compromise hygiene

It is a “myth” to say that nurses wearing long-sleeved uniforms raise risk of infection, says Al-Islam Specialist Centre director Dr Ishak Mas'ud says.

Ishak said there is no scientific evidence to show that long sleeves lead to higher rates of hospital acquired infections caused by viral, bacterial or fungal pathogens.

"There has so far been no evidence to show that wearing long-sleeved uniforms has a correlation with a higher infection rate. It is a misconception.

"Even in more developed countries, in Europe, there is no issue on sleeve length," Ishak said when met at the hospital in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur last week.

Last week private hospital Damai Service Centre (Melawati) was splashed with white paint, after a nurse claimed the hospital sacked her for refusing to wear short sleeves which expose her aurat (Muslim dress code of modesty).

The hospital said its nurses wear short sleeves to control the risk of infections, and that it sacked Naziah Sauni Samat due to poor discipline.

According to Ishak, infection control can be done even if nurses wear long-sleeved uniforms by fully-adhering to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines on the matter.

The WHO, he explained, has underlined a ‘5 Moments Hand Hygiene’ guide that must be followed by all nurses and clinical staff.

The guideline states that hands must be washed up to the elbows and the sleeves of the uniform will be rolled up accordingly.

"All our nurses here follow that guideline. Once done with washing their hands, they will just roll down the sleeves. No issue," he said.

When attending to patients, Ishak said there is also no issue on following infection control guidelines that similarly requires their arms to be bare.

"We have taught all our staff the basic knowledge on the concept of rukhsah (leniency) in darurat (emergency) situations.

"This applies to both when carrying out our clinical duties and performing a Muslim's religious obligations under restricted circumstances," he explained.

With an understanding of the rukhsah concept in Islam, Ishak said there would be no issue of aurat while performing or undergoing a clinical procedure, for example between a male doctor and a woman giving birth.

"Islam is not rigid. We also have jamak (combining prayers when it is inconvenient to pray five times a day), tayammum (ablution without water when access to water is limited).

"These are all allowances that can be made on how a person performs a particular obligation under certain circumstances," he said.

Right of Muslims to fulfil religious obligations

He added that the primary goal is to ensure both staff and patients can fulfil their obligations as a Muslim.

The Al-Islam Specialist Centre was previously known as Kampung Baru Medical Centre (KBMC) and it underwent a rebranding initiative in 2008.

The concept of ‘hospital mesra ibadah’ (worship-friendly hospital) was introduced in conjunction with KBMC's 10th anniversary and later adopted by more private and government hospitals.

"Since 1989 we have been fighting for the rights of Muslim nurses to cover their aurat.

"Alhamdulillah, after presenting the government with various studies and evidence to support our call, it was eventually decided that all nurses at government hospitals will be wearing long-sleeved uniforms," said Ishak who was the founding president of Persatuan Pengamal Perubatan Islam Malaysia.

At its core, Ishak said it is most important to reflect values that show how Islam is a blessing for all mankind.

"We must show our best behaviour. To have compassion for our patients.

"At the end of the day, we will have to answer to Allah on whether we have performed our duties to the best of our abilities," he stressed.

'Mutual respect needed'

Ishak, however, acknowledged that each private health care provider has a right to set its own policies which must also be respected.

"If the hospital's policy is to not allow long sleeves, that is it. Don't apply to work there if you want to wear long sleeves," he said.

"Here at our hospital, all Muslim nurses are required to cover their aurat, but for our non-Muslim staff, they only wear the long-sleeved uniform and a nurse cap," he said.

Naziah’s case came into the limelight when she complained to the Muslims Consumers Association (PPIM), alleging discrimination.

Damai Service Hospital (Melawati) said Naziah was sacked because she did not turn up to work two days in a row, and is mulling legal action against the nurse.

Naziah, however, said she did not attend work because she received a suspension letter and is pursuing the matter with the Labour Department.

PPIM president Nadzim Johan warned that worse may come after the white paint attack, and told the hospital it may as well tell its nurses to wear short skirts and bikinis to work. -Mkini