MANAGEMENT AT Beaumont Hospital are to supply disposable headscarves to Muslim female students after it emerged that a small number of students were forbidden from wearing the hijad in theatre.Irish Medical Times had learned Muslim medical students in Beaumont Hospital have been forbidden to wear traditional headscarves into surgery. The Royal College Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI) students were considering taking action against the hospital, as they believe they are being discriminated against. IMT understands the students were denied access to theatres, delivery suites, endoscopy units and intensive care units for reasons of hygiene.
Commenting on the issue, Mr Syed Naqvi, surgeon at Limerick Regional Hospital and chairman of the Overseas Medics of Ireland, told IMT that Muslim students should not be discriminated against wearing traditional headscarves when training. “I fully understand that patients’ care and interests must come first, however I do not see any issue with wearing a sterile headscarf in Irish hospitals within different disciplines”, said Mr Naqvi.
“In order to meet the recommended international hygiene standards, I would suggest that the HSE provide sterile reusable headscarves in Irish hospitals, as the traditional surgical caps are inadequate to cover the head and the neck area.” Mr Naqvi said that he believes this is not the case in other hospitals around the country.
A spokesman for Beaumont Hospital told IMT that the issue has been reviewed and the hospital would seek to supply a source of disposable theatre hijabs which can be used by anyone of Muslim faith.