Don’t take lab coats out of health centres
dubai — A fresh warning from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHP) is advising all medical professionals to refrain from wearing laboratory coats outside of the medical setting, to avoid transmission of diseases.
The MoHP issued a circular over the weekend urging the directors of the medical districts, directors of governmental and private medical establishments as well as the deans of medical colleges to take appropriate measures to ensure strict compliance with this requirement to avoid the spread of pathogenic microbes in the community.
It also revealed that the government’s health inspection teams have recorded repeated violations from both health practitioners and medical students, with some seen wearing their white coats while inside mosques and markets, among other places.
Previous research has been carried out which proves that lab coat sleeves and pockets may carry contagious germs. This has prompted many countries to prohibit medical professionals and students from wearing their uniforms outside the workplace and campuses. And this isn’t the first time the MoHP has sent out such an advisory. In 2012 and 2015, similar warnings were communicated to healthcare professionals.
Speaking on the advisory, Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary of the ministry’s public health policy and licensing referred to a research by the International Journal of Bacteriology.
“Clinical white coats have very long history of being a symbol of hope and healing for medical professionals. However, there
We reiterate the need to adhere to the rule of wearing medical uniform in relevant workplaces only and never use it outside the workplace or place of study to avoid the transmission of diseases.” Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary, Ministry of Health and Prevention
has been concern that white coats may play a big role in transmitting infections within and outside health facility settings. Wearing white coats by medical professional is an accepted practice, but to wear it outside the medical facility is by all means unacceptable.”
Another common sight witnessed here is healthcare professionals hanging their white coats in their cars and offices. But this is not advised as it increases the chances for trafficking both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria.
Build healthy, happy society
The fresh warning comes in alignment with the ministry’s strategy aiming at ensuring the delivery of comprehensive and integrated healthcare services in an innovative and sustainable setting as well as regulating and supervising the local health sector.
Dr Al Amiri stressed that the ministry is here to make sure that all public and private health centres and medical universities adhere to the country’s public safety policy for community protection.
“Once again, we reiterate the need to adhere to the rule of wearing medical uniform in relevant workplaces only and never use it outside the workplace or place of study to avoid the transmission of diseases and maintain public health.”
reporters@khaleejtimes.com