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The Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ) has backed call by the Health Professional Council of Zambia (HPCZ) discouraging the indiscriminate use of medical coats, scrubs and clogs.
HPCZ recently called on health professionals and students to stop moving around in public places wearing laboratory coats as they were potential agents of bacterial transmission and infections.
RDAZ President, Dr Mweushi Mphande, said not only did wearing these items outside of the healthcare setting pose a risk of spreading infections and bacteria, but that it also blurs the line between healthcare professionals and the public.
“As a healthcare professional body, we fully support and welcome the new directive by HPCZ aimed at discouraging the indiscriminate use of medical coats, scrubs and clogs in public places,” Mphande said.
Mphande noted that it was vital that health professionals always maintained a level of professionalism, both in and outside of the hospital setting.
“We call upon all stakeholders including the regulatory bodies of the nursing profession to join hands with the HPCZ in discouraging the wearing of uniforms in public places,” he said.
Mphande suggested that nurses should wear their uniforms from the facilities and remove them before leaving to avoid the spread of diseases and bacteria to the public.
He stated that if the objective was infection prevention, then all health workers should not wear their work gear in public.
“We believe that this directive will serve as a reminder to all healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of hygiene and professionalism,” Mphande said.
He expressed confidence that it would lead to a safer and more respectful healthcare environment for all.
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