The female students in a Kerala government college who wear hijabs have raised an issue as they ask for an alternative scrub that would cover their hands and head as part of their religious beliefs since wearing hijabs is not allowed inside operation theatres.
Seeking permission to wear long sleeve scrub jackets and surgical hoods inside the Operation Theatre, several female students of Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College in Kerala have written a letter to their principal. The students want an alternative for covering their heads during medical procedures as hijab is not allowed inside OTs.
According to the reports, the letter sent to the principal said, "Hijab-wearing Muslim have a difficult time, finding a balance between donning complaint religious attire and maintaining modesty while also complying with hospital and operation room regulations (sic)."
The students while sharing their issues on the matter, suggested a few alternatives like long sleeve scrub jackets and surgical hoods to be allowed inside the sterile environment.
The principal, Lynette J. Morris reportedly also mentioned that the demands of the students cannot be met right at the moment as the safety of the patients and international standards need to be maintained by the college inside OTs. Further, she explained to the students concerned that as per standards they will have to wash their hands until elbows and wearing long-sleeved scrubs could be a problem.
Morris has reportedly said that she discuss the issue after forming a committee of surgeons and the infection control team.
The debate of hijabs being allowed for students has made controversies before in other states of the country and this might add to those discussion rounds in future.