Thiruvananthapuram: The MSF took a proactive stance in supporting medical students on the hijab issue. The Muslim Students Federation (MSF) stands in solidarity with students who are advocating for the right to wear hijabs in operation theaters.
MSF expresses concern over targeting of Muslim students at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH) and the public debate surrounding the students’ letter. MSF state secretary, Adv Thohani demanded an enquiry on the hijab letter.
Last Monday, seven students belonging to Muslim community approached the Thiruvananthapuram MCH Principal Dr Linette J Morris seeking permission to wear long-sleeved scrub jackets and hijabs in the operation theatres, due to religious reasons.
After receiving the letter the principal make discussions with Indian Medical Association and senior doctors briefed the students on the medical aspects of the theatre dress code by saying that, “We follow an internationally accepted system. There are issues in changing it. We have to follow it because only then the patient is safe. We cannot change it offhand”.
Surgeons and infectious diseases experts vehemently opposed the demand on the change of dress code.
Indian Medical Association (IMA) also strongly opposed the demand of dress code changes and said, patient safety cannot be compromised at any cost.
In responding to the hijab issue in Medical College, the BJP National Vice President A. P. Abdullakutty said that the students have been encouraged by somebody, and therefore the government should interfere and the background of the students who came with the need should be investigated.
He also said that the upstanding people of the Muslim community in Kerala should come forward and make the medical students aware of the dress code. Abdullakutty concluded that priority should be given to the patient in the operation theatre and not for the religion.
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