Hospitals not against religious bodies meeting patients

The Health Ministry has never imposed any restrictions to prevent religious bodies from meeting patients for prayers and religious matters while in hospital, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin however said that there were no plans to allow religious bodies establish their centres in hospitals.

"We are worried that they will interfere with day-to-day operation and only allow them outside hospital. There is no problem to allow religious bodies or volunteers to meet patients," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai).

Mohd Hatta had asked the ministry to state the training given to staff to support patients conducting their religious obligations in hospital. Rosnah said most government and private hospitals in the country apply the worship friendly concept and place religious affairs officials to advice and counsel patients.

Regular courses and training were also made available to hospital staff apart from aid and referrals from non-governmental organisations and the mosque management.

"For example, the solat, azan and qamad for newborn infants are functions of the religious affairs officers.

"They serve as reference for counseling and advisory services including forensic issues such as claim to remains. Young mothers are also given advice on illegitimate children," she said.