A MEDICAL officer at the Kampar Hospital has been reprimanded for refusing treatment for a woman wearing shorts.

In a statement, the hospital director Dr Khairul Azha Azam said it had never given out orders or denied any patients from receiving treatment based on the way they dressed.

He said the hospital has reprimanded the officer involved and action has been taken to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.

“All patients will be attended to in any situation, especially during emergencies.

“An announcement has been made to inform the hospital staff not to discriminate against patients based on the way they dress,” he said in a statement today.

The statement comes after social media fury over the incident at the hospital last Sunday.

Yesterday, the Perak government had vowed to investigate allegations that the woman was refused treatment at the Kampar Hospital by a medical officer for wearing shorts.

State human resources, health and Indian community affairs committee chairman A Sivanesan said he would seek an explanation from both parties.

In the 11pm incident, Khairul said a woman in her early 20s, arrived at the hospital’s emergency unit seeking treatment, and her vitals were checked by a medical officer and found to be stable.

“The officer was reported to have said that the woman was wearing short pants, prompting the officer to get her a hospital gown.

“Before the officer managed to give the patient the gown, she had left the triage counter and informed other staff that she would seek treatment at a private clinic.

“At about 1am on Monday, she returned to the emergency unit accompanied by a friend. She then registered and sought treatment from a doctor and had been discharged,” Khairul said. –  February 15, 2023.