KUALA LUMPUR: Sungai Buloh Hospital (HSB) is developing standards for shariah-compliant public hospitals over the next few years.
HSB director Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim said he was working with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to look into all aspects that must be followed by shariah-compliant public hospital.
“Based on high demand from patients on some aspects of shariah-compliance, we feel that it is time for the government to establish a standard for that purpose.
“Among them, female patients want a woman doctor as their gynecologist and also during childbirth. We are aware that patients cannot choose doctors in public hospitals due to the shortage of staff and experts, but we are trying our best.
“We are also looking into patients’ requests for hospital clothing that cover their aurat .
“So, besides continuing the implementation of the Hosptal Mesra Ibadah (HMI) programme, we want patients to be comfortable when receiving treatment and at the same time all parties can comply with standards prescribed by syariah,” he said at the launch of the Syariah Index Malaysia Executive Exhibition 2018 at Sungai Buloh Hospital here today.
Present was Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
Dr Khalid said he had received suggestions and requests from non-Muslim patients who supported the concept of hospitality in public hospitals.
“I went to the wards and met many non-Muslim patients who praised concepts like doctors and patients reading prayers before going for surgery.
“Islamic patients are also taught how to pray by trained staff,” he said.
In addition to the 1Malaysia Clinics, the Hospital Mesra Ibadah (HMI) programme is also implemented by the Health Ministry and conforms to maqasid syariah.
Sixty-five Islamic Affairs officers have been deployed at 55 specialist hospitals to coordinate and ensure that the programme is implemented systematically.