No one will be barred from healthcare facilities because of attire, says Penang

 

Lim Thean Heng said he was told by a security guard the hospital’s dress code bars shorts, singlets, short skirts and sleeveless tops.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has given an assurance that people will not be prevented from entering healthcare facilities because of their attire.

Earlier today, FMT reported that 72-year-old Lim Thean Heng was denied entry to the Seberang Jaya Hospital by a security guard on Monday for wearing shorts.

Penang youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi described the “isolated incident” as “regrettable” and said he did not want it to tarnish the reputation of the state’s healthcare system.

“Further action will be taken to prevent this from recurring,” Gooi told FMT.

Lim was told by a security guard the hospital’s visitor dress code bars shorts, singlets, short skirts and sleeveless tops.

He brought the matter up at the hospital’s complaints counter, with an officer telling him he would use his discretion and allow him to enter “just this once”.

Lim also said the officer in charge of security at the hospital said the dress code was based on the Rukun Negara.

Attire row due to misunderstanding, miscommunication

Meanwhile, Seberang Jaya Hospital director Dr Saiful Azlan Sharif said an investigation found that Lim was barred because of a misunderstanding and miscommunication between him and the security guard.

He said the hospital will work with its security company to enhance training so its personnel will be more professional and communicate effectively when carrying out their duties.

Saiful also said the hospital’s dress code has been long practised by government agencies and public hospitals, and that the then director-general of public services, Shafiq Abdullah, had also clarified the dress code on March 24, 2022.

“The dress code was enforced to ensure harmony and well-being in line with the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara, which is courtesy and morality,” he said.

“This code of conduct is also practised in government departments in Japan, the UK, Australia as well as Asean countries such as the Philippines and Thailand.” - FMT