A controversial case in Salzburg is fuelling the debate about special religious requests in hospitals: a Muslim man with a migrant background is demanding that his wife be treated exclusively by female doctors at the Salzburg Provincial Hospitals (SALK,photo). In his complaint to the patient ombudsman, he alleges discrimination and disrespect because his request has not been granted.
The newspaper Krone reports that the man, who lives in Salzburg, is demanding ‘written confirmation that the request for care by female medical staff is legally permissible and binding’.
The state hospital has already responded to the letter and strongly refutes the allegations: ‘Medical and nursing care is provided by male and/or female staff, depending on the duty roster. Free choice of doctor is neither provided for nor possible in a public hospital.’
The hospital also emphasises: ‘Under no circumstances do these [legal bases cited by the man] justify you discriminating against our employees on the basis of gender!’
Vienna’s patient advocate Gerhard Jelinek also makes it clear: ‘No, there is no legal basis for this.’
Muslim fordert: Nur Ärztinnen für seine Frau im Salzburger Spital! | Exxpress