'Nurses' uniforms too tight', says Kuantan MP in Health White Paper debate

KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider changing the uniforms for nurses as they are too tight and not Syariah compliant, says an Opposition MP.

Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan) said that women's body shapes are visible with the current uniform.

"Are we still following the Western dress code? Can it be changed to allow some 'relaxation' of the nurses' uniform?" he told the Dewan Rakyat when debating the Health White Paper on Thursday (June 15).

Wan Razali said there were health facilities such as Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan and Sultan Azlan Shah Medical Centre in Kuantan, Pahang that have different dress codes.

Generally, public health facility nurses wear a pair of slacks, a tunic-style or short-sleeved top and optional headscarf for female staff.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa tabled the ministry's White Paper in the Dewan Rakyat earlier on Thursday.

The 57-page document details healthcare reforms to be implemented over a period of 15 years.

The Health Ministry has also conducted town hall sessions nationwide to collect views on the problems surrounding the healthcare sector as well as proposed solutions.