Medical groups in Malaysia defend nurses’ uniform after criticism from PAS MP over ‘tight’ attire
Medical groups in Malaysia defend nurses’ uniform after criticism from PAS MP over ‘tight’ attire
Nurses in Malaysia with masks on. (Photo: Bernama)
16 Jun 2023 05:08PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Several medical organisations in Malaysia have come out to defend the uniforms of nurses in the country following criticism by an opposition lawmaker from the Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) that the uniforms are “tight” and “show their body shape”.
Mr Wan Razali – who is Kuantan Member of Parliament (MP) – said on Thursday (Jun 15) during a health white paper debate that the nurses’ uniform was tight-fitting and not “Syariah compliant”.
“I would like to raise the issue of female nurses’ dress etiquette where most are dressed in tight clothes and show their body shape which is not Syariah compliant,” he told parliament.
“I would like to ask if we still want to follow the Western way in this dressing etiquette. Is it irreversible and cannot be given flexibility?”
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Condemning Mr Wan Razali’s statement, Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Muruga Rajathurai said that the current nurses' uniform under the purview of the Ministry of Health is practical as it does not appear to restrict the movement of nurses carrying out their duty.
“It is sad that amid nationwide concern over the future and sustainability of our healthcare system, an MP is more concerned about the dress code of nurses,” said Dr Muruga.
“All nurses in the public sector adhere to the civil servant dress code,” he added.
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“In healthcare, everyone needs to be fast on their feet and at times ready to sprint to save lives.”
Similarly, Malayan Nurses Union president Nor Hayati Abd Rashid said that the uniforms were designed to be functional and to make it easier for nurses to carry out their duties.
According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Ms Nor Hayati maintained that the uniforms were not tight and that they adhered to guidelines set by the health ministry.
“The rules for the uniforms are that they cannot be too tight and the (length of the top) must be below the buttocks. There is a guideline.
“It is up to the nursing supervisor to look out for this. Normally, the sisters or matrons will advise nurses if their uniforms are too tight,” she reportedly said.
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She noted that nurses used to wear skirts in the 1980s but the dress code changed to pants to be more Syariah compliant.
“I am not sure what the MP was thinking to make such a statement. This (uniform) is not new, we have been using it for a long time,” she was quoted as saying by FMT.