Under fire over nurses’ attire

Perfectly acceptable: Medical groups say the nurses’ uniforms are practical as they do not restrict the performing of their duties.

PETALING JAYA: PAS’ Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor (pic) has been denounced for his remark on nurses’ attire being too tight and not syariah-compliant.

“The uniforms worn by nurses are designed to be functional, to make it easier for them to carry out their duties, they are not too tight and adhere to the guidelines set by the Health Ministry,” said Malayan Nurses Union president Nor Hayati Abd Rashid.

She said the rules were clear, the uniforms could not be too tight and the length of the top must be below the waist and above the knee, which is the standard set by the Health Ministry.

“It is a major change compared to the 1980s when nurses used to wear skirts, but the dress code was changed to pants to be more syariah-compliant,” she said.

While debating the White Paper on public health reforms in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Wan Razali had said the government should consider changing the uniforms for nurses as they were immodest.

He also said that women’s body shapes were visible with the current uniforms.

“Are we still following the Western dress code? Can it be changed to allow some ‘relaxation’ of the nurses’ uniforms?” he asked at Parliament.

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Muruga Rajathurai said current Health Ministry nurse uniforms were practical as they did not restrict the movement of nurses when they were carrying out their duties.

He said it was sad that amid nationwide attention on the future and sustainability of the healthcare system, an MP was more concerned about the dress code of nurses.

“All nurses in the public sector adhere to the civil servant dress code. We believe the current ministry nurse uniforms are practical as they do not seem to restrict movement when nurses carry out their duties.

“In healthcare, everyone needs to be fast on their feet and at times ready to sprint to save lives,” he added.

Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye also said the present nurses’ uniforms were comfortable, functional and decent, catering well to each institution and individual preferences.

“When we expect MPs to focus on debating important healthcare reforms in the Health White Paper, the PAS MP instead focused on the cut of the uniforms,” he added.