Leaders of a serious Ontario well being system are apologizing after employees at one in every of its hospitals shaved a Sikh man’s beard with out permission from him or his household and in violation of his non secular ideas.
Dr. Frank Martino, president and CEO of the William Osler Well being System in Brampton, and Pardeep Singh Gill, board chair, issued a public apology Wednesday.
“Just lately, we didn’t uphold non secular and cultural care practices when a Sikh affected person’s beard was shaved with out consent and with out medical necessity. We take full accountability for this incident and have prolonged our deepest apologies to the affected person and his household,” the joint assertion stated.
“We additionally wish to lengthen our apology to the Sikh neighborhood and the distinctive culturally numerous neighborhood that we serve … Though we won’t return and undo what has been completed, we’re dedicated to studying from this and making adjustments to assist forestall this from occurring once more.”
The World Sikh Group (WSO) introduced consideration to the August incident final month.
Employees at Brampton Civic Hospital shaved Joginder Singh Kaler, 85, a affected person who’s a practising Sikh, on both Aug. 28 or 29, the WSO stated on the time.
WATCH | Well being community ‘sorry’ after shaving unconscious Sikh man’s beard with out household consent:
Well being community ‘sorry’ after shaving unconscious Sikh man’s beard with out household consent
Members of the Sikh neighborhood are demanding solutions after an aged man had his facial hair shaven by Brampton hospital employees with out his or the household’s consent. As Dale Manucdoc reviews, the household says shaving his beard goes in opposition to the person’s religion.
The WSO stated Kaler was unconscious and couldn’t present consent himself. It stated the hospital contacted Kaler’s household to acquire permission to shave him however his household refused the request. Kaler had by no means shaved or reduce his beard in his life earlier than this incident, the group stated.
Martino and Gill stated the hospital system has accomplished an investigation into the incident that included enter from the household, neighborhood leaders and hospital employees. They stated the hospital will take extra motion to forestall comparable incidents from occurring sooner or later.
These actions will embrace educating employees on “cultural security and humility” to make sure they constantly honour non secular and cultural practices, the assertion stated.
“These adjustments will strengthen our dedication in the direction of asking about, listening to and integrating sufferers’ values, beliefs, and targets in each facet of their well being care — upholding our company worth of Respect, and our foundational dedication to fairness, variety and inclusion.”
WATCH | Sikh neighborhood calls for solutions after hospital shaved man with out consent: 
Sikh neighborhood calls for solutions after hospital shaved man with out consent
The World Sikh Group of Canada has joined a household’s demand for solutions after an aged man’s facial hair was shaved with out permission in a Toronto-area hospital, violating his non secular beliefs.
The WSO stated Wednesday it “acknowledges” the apology over the “deeply regarding” incident. It stated shaving or removing of hair is a violation of the beliefs of working towards Sikhs.
“The WSO appreciates that Osler has accepted full accountability for this critical breach and has dedicated to taking corrective measures to forestall such incidents sooner or later,” the group stated in a press release.
WSO President Danish Singh stated whereas the incident was each “unacceptable” and “stunning,” the group is hopeful it may possibly result in constructive adjustments that make sure the non secular beliefs and practices of all sufferers are revered.
“Brampton is dwelling to one of many largest Sikh communities exterior of Punjab, and it’s essential that the hospitals serving this neighborhood are absolutely conscious of Sikh practices and respectful of them. The neighborhood will need to have confidence that their beliefs will probably be upheld in all features of care,” Singh stated.
