NONTHABURI, 14 July 2015 – The Ministry of Public Health is not prohibiting Muslim healthcare workers from wearing Hijabs at work, in keeping with the ministry’s announcements, the MOPH Deputy Permanent-Secretary says.
Mr. Surachet clarified that the ministry has never prohibited any staff from wearing Hijabs at work, as such an order would violate the principle of freedom of religion.
The statement comes after the Prime Minister’s order to investigate cases of female healthcare staff who are allegedly prohibited from wearing Hijabs, when working at Hat Yai and Krabi hospitals.
The Deputy Permanent-Secretary says that all female Muslim staff can choose to wear clothing according to their religious beliefs which includes the wearing of Hijabs, in accordance with the ministry’s dress code announcements.
However, hospital directors are in charge of deciding the appropriateness of the operating staff’s attire, which may have an effect on patient care, such as the prevention of infection, as well as the appropriateness of attire in terms of religious beliefs.
The MOPH Deputy Permanent-Secretary added that all hospitals have been urged to comply with the ministry’s announcement and the Prime Minister’s Office regulations on civil servants’ uniforms, which includes guidelines on female Muslim civil servants’ dress code.
