Republic of the Philippines Department of Health OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Building 4, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue ‘Si. Cruz, Manila, 1003 Philippines Tel. No, (#63-2) 711-95.02/03; Trunkline: 743-89-01 loc. 1125 Fax: 749-1829 E-mail Adéress: osecidoh.gov.nh Web site: http:/www.doh.gov.ph April 29, 2009 DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM No. 2009 - 0104 To: ALL _UNDERSECRETARIES, ASSISTANT SECRE- TARIES, BUREAU/SERVICE/CENTER FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS, CHIEF OF SPECIALTY/ SPECIAL] RETAINED AND __RENATIONALIZED HOSPITALS AND PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ATTACHED AGENCIES. ‘SUBJECT: Strengthening the Protection of Religious Rights _of Muslim workers, including but not limited to Students and Trainees in health facilities. Pursuant to the constitutional rights of Filipino citizens to freedom of religion and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, creed or color, all healthcare institutions should strive to ensure that the rights of workers, students and trainees are protected. The Islamic Medical Association of the Philippines, Inc. has called the attention of the Department of Health regarding the plight of Muslim workers, students and trainees in the hospital wherein certain policies and practices infringe on their religious rights. In view hereof, all healthcare institutions, both public and private are advised to review and ensure that their policies are sensitive to the religious rights of healthcare workers, students and trainees. The Department of Health advises the healthcare institutions to observe the following policies: * Muslim female workers should be allowed to use their veil (hijab) and wear their prescribed mode of dressing inside the premises of all healthcare institutions, especially, in areas such as the wards, operating room, intensive care units and burn units, among others. However, this mode of dressing can be modified to conform to the prescribed uniform of health institution in accordance with its rules and regulations concerning infection control and aseptic techniques but still observing the religious rights of Muslim workers.In special areas where sterility must be maintained at all time, the following policies shall be adopted: = Veils must be: > Treated equal to the hair; > Freshly laundered; > Covered by a surgical cap over it, if no spare is available; > Worn neatly and changed when going out of the assigned area; and > ts dangling portion must be tucked in at least to the outer garment. + Outer garment (uniform); > Must be loose and not fitting to the body; > The length of the blouse must be at least just above the knee, with a loose long pants; > The sleeves must be at least two-thirds arm length and may be rolled-up to mid-arm so that the edge will not be soiled during hand washing and scrubbing respectively; and > Freshly laundered. For information, guidance and com} 0 J. DUI “Il, MD, MSc Secretary of Health | \ \ KAUN 0568ANNEX STRENGTHENING THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF WORKERS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO STUDENTS AND TRAINEES, IN HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS 1. Pursuant to the constitutional guarantee on the rights of citizens to freedom of religion and non- discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, creed or color, all healthcare institutions should strive to ensure that these rights of workers are protected and strengthened, 2. The Islamic Medical Association of the Philippines, Inc. has called attention to the plight of Muslim workers, students, and trainees in the hospital where certain policies and practices infringe on their religious rights. 3. In view thereof, all healthcare institutions, both public and private, are directed to review their policies to ensure that these are sensitive fo the religious rights. of healthcare workers, students, and trainees. cg 4. In the specific case of Muslim workers, including but not limited to students and trainees, the following policy shall be adopted: a. Muslim female workers should be allowed to use their veil (hijab) tad prescribed mode of dressing, inside the premises of the healthcare institutions, including but not limited to hospitals, free-standing treatment and diagnostic centers, in. areas like: the wards, operating room, intensive care and burn units, among others. This mode of dressing can be modified to conform to the prescribed uniform of the health institution in accordance’ with its rules and regulations concerning infection control and aseptic techniques. =) + 5. In special areas where sterility of surrounding must be maintained and ‘to avéid spread of infection, the following policies shall be adopted: a. Veils must be " treated equal to the hair; freshly laundered; covered by a surgical cap over it, ifno spare is available; ‘worn in neatly and changed when going out of the assigned area; and, its dangling portion must be tucked in at least to the outer garment. b. Outer garment (uniform): ‘+ must be loose and not fitting to the body; + the length of the blouse must be at least just above the knee, with «loose long pants, * the sleeves must be at least two-thirds arm length and may be rolled up to mid-arm so that the edge will not be soiled during hand-washing and scrubbing, respectively; and, + freshly laundered 6. Department field offices are hereby enjoined to ensure that these policies are strictly complied with in all healthcare institutions under their jurisdiction. 7. For immediate and wide dissemination. yoo