Patient says she felt 'humiliated when Muslim doctor forced her to wear an Islamic headscarf'
Tuesday 25th September, 2007
London, Sept.25 :
The female patient, who was told by a British Muslim dentist that he would treat her only if she wore an an Islamic headscarf, has said she felt humiliated by the incident. Dentist Omer Butt, 31, is said to have told the patient that he would refuse to register her as an NHS patient if she did not cover her head, the General Dental Council (GDC) was told. The woman, who is a non-practising Muslim and works as an NHS community nurse, was in so much pain she agreed to borrow a headscarf from a nurse at Butt's clinic in Bury, Lancashire, it is said. She, however, stormed out of the surgery when Butt quoted Islamic religious texts at her and told her to sit in the waiting room with the headscarf on, the hearing was told. One of the nurses is said to have warned the young woman - who is being referred to only as Patient A - that 'inside the surgery it is Dr Butt's world and his rules that apply'. Following the woman's complaint, Butt wrote a letter to the GDC praising Allah and concluding: 'May Allah protect us all from the evils of Shaitan (Satan).' But she stormed off when Butt told her to wait in the waiting room, saying she felt 'humiliated and upset' by what had happened. Butt, who is registered as of Sheepfoot Lane, Prestwich, Manchester, admits quoting the Ahadith at Patient A but denies it was the practice policy to insist on a Muslim dress code. He also denies telling her he would not register her as an NHS patient and also denies misconduct. He could be struck off if he is found guilty of serious professional misconduct. The charges say that Butt undermined public confidence in his profession by discriminating against a patient and failed to act in her best interests.
I chose this particular story because it talks about a dentist who mixed his religion with his profession. I have nothing against muslims but to humiliate someone the way this dentist did is not right. I think he shouldn't force his religion on a patient who is obviously in pain. He should treat his patients first. That is why i think he became a doctor/dentist. Here is the link to the story: http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=285262
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5 comments:
Interesting article. It raises the "church-state separation" issue, doesn't it? We have such a separation in the U.S., but many other countries don't. And it also raises the extent to which I believe my religion is so important that I feel compelled to share it/teach it to/impose it on others.
Wow, What a story. It is unethical to not treat a patient b/c of the medical providers beliefs. When surving the public one has to put their own personal beliefs aside regardless of race, religion etc. I am very curious as to know the outcome of this case
I completely agree with your response to this article. Not only is it unprofessional, but it's unethical. Clearly he has strong beleifs and practices those same beliefs, so like most Muslim men, he probably felt like she was inferior to him anyway.
I agree with you. I think a person should become a dentist to help people. Helping people is the priority. If the dentist has a problem with treating people of different beliefs he should practice in a conservative Muslim country.
I agree with on this topic completly. Not only is it unethical but is wrong not to treat someone because of there beliefs.
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