Health DG vows probe into alleged moral policing at Perak hospital

 

The Health Ministry will investigate a case where a woman was allegedly refused treatment in a government hospital in Perak, due to her attire.

According to its director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, action will be taken if the case has indeed happened as reported.

"This shouldn't happen in health facilities. We will investigate and if it is true will take necessary action. Thank you for highlighting this issue," Noor Hisham (above) said in a tweet yesterday.

He was responding to a netizen who had tagged him on a sharing of a news report on the incident.

The Feb 13 incident involves 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.

Another 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. - Mkini