Health Ministry denies directive on patient dress code

KUALA LUMPUR - The Deputy Health Minister confirmed today that there is no dress code for patients seeking treatment at government clinics and hospitals.

Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said his ministry has never sent any directive to deny treatment for patients wearing certain attire.

He was speaking in reference to a report that a few 1 Malaysia clinics in Johor denied treatment to a toddler whose mother was wearing shorts last Saturday.

“If someone wants treatment, they should get it. Whatever they wear, it should be secondary.”

However, he did not say whether any action will be taken against the 1 Malaysia clinics involved.

China Press reported that the two-year-old boy finally received treatment after the mother put on a sarong.

Earlier this week, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said in her parliamentary reply that dress codes should not be imposed on the public at government offices.

• Two-year-old toddler denied treatment as his mother’s pants was apparently too short