Maine Somali's: Hospital 'johnny' redesigned because of Somalis' complaints

boston.com ^ | 8-8-04 | David Sharp

[SheLion]

PORTLAND, Maine -- Everyone who has been hospitalized or has undergone an outpatient procedure knows -- and probably loathes -- the skimpy, ill-fitting, one-size-fits-none hospital gown.

Maine Medical Center finally decided to do something about it upon discovering that Muslim women accustomed to being fully covered were skipping appointments to avoid the immodest garments.

[SheLion]

Gee, how nice! Although "I" never had problems wearing a hospital gown. But isn't this nice that it took a Somali for Maine to redesign hospital gowns?/scarasm

Anyones thoughts?

[SheLion]

[Lijahsbubbe]

...because of Somalis' complaints

Man, that frosts my butt.

Call it stereotyping if you want, but most of the Somalis here in Mpls have no problem complaining rudely while they spend my money.

[catpuppy]

... a high no-show rate for Muslim women from African countries, particularly Somalia.

Wait a minute! I was told that George W. Bush had made health care unavailable to all but the wealthiest among us.

[cricket]

Just another example of 'who' you are; making a difference. . .

although the 'who' of this - for sure - surely gives a tweak to something that has long remained a 'bad joke' to so many. . .

[skinkinthegrass]

Ahh, No... PCism ,March On.

Maybe the Doctors and Nurses, should wear the gowns, too. No complains

[Maceman]

The dress code for Muslim women is derived from the holy book, the Quran.

So the holiness of the Quran is a fact, is it? Not "what Muslims call the holy book," not "the Muslim holy book" -- just "the holy book." No qualifier needed.

AP won't call the Islamic terrorists "terrorists" because that designation is a matter of opinion. But they have no problem reporting that the Quran is the holy book as if that assertion were an undeniable truth of the universe.

I'll look forward to an AP article that refers in the same manner to the Bible as the holy book.

[CindyDawg]

As a nurse I understand the function of the gowns while in bed and would help people put another one on backwards if they got up. No one likes wearing them but it makes me mad that nothing changed until "foreigners" complained.

[Maria S]

Isn't it Somalia that has one of the highest rates of female circumcision in the world? Unbelievable that this kind of barbaric ritual still exists anywhere in the world.

[Lijahsbubbe]

I saw a woman the other day wearing a burka, the one that only allows the eyes to be uncovered. I was upset to see this in my country. Do you see that in Maine?

What type of Islam does this signify, if you know.

Isn't it illegal to walk around with the face obscured?

[freedom_forge]

Proving once again that immigrants are vital to our progress as a nation.

Actually, I'm glad someone is changing the hospital gown. It's bad enough to be sick without having to suffer the indignity of having your backside exposed to every passerby. Now if we could only change the hospital pecking order that puts the most arrogant doctors on top, the patient on the bottom and every one else in-between.

[Howlin]

Exactly!

[Lijahsbubbe]

Proving once again that immigrants are vital to our progress as a nation.

Yes, if there's anybody who can teach us about progress, it's those progressive Somalians. LOL

[SheLion]

Man, that frosts my butt.

See what I mean?  I know that hospital gowns can be uncomfortable to wear.  But isn't it upsetting to see where priorities lie?  As soon as the Muslim women complained about them, Maine jumped through the hoops and within "SIX WEEKS" a new gown was designed.  How SWEET is ISN'T!

Call it stereotyping if you want, but most of the Somalis here in Mpls have no problem complaining rudely while they spend my money.

Oh yes.  And Maine screams about health care in this state.  But I bet they say nothing when it comes to treating the Somali's in this state with free health care.  This, too, frosts MY butt!

Anyone know if the Maine government bought and provided those chickens to the Somali's in Lewiston yet???!!!

[SheLion]

Wait a minute! I was told that George W. Bush had made health care unavailable to all but the wealthiest among us.

Well........I hope that the "wealthiest among us" are the ones forking over the bills in the hospital for the Somali's! heh!

[Lijahsbubbe]

I always thought that the hospital gowns were tied that way to provide doctors access for examination. Maybe now they'll just have to tell the patient to lift the whole damn thing up.

[SheLion]

As a nurse I understand the function of the gowns while in bed and would help people put another one on back wards if they got up. No one likes wearing them but it makes me mad that nothing changed until "foreigners" complained.

I've had wonderful nurses like you! Helping me put another gown over top the gown I had on. They CAN be uncomfortable.

But I see where the priorities lie..........for the IMMIGRANTS! Gee, should be thank them?! :(

[1066AD]

saw a woman the other day wearing a burka, the one that only allows the eyes to be uncovered

I saw one last summer and, I kid you not, she was mowing her front yard in 100+ heat ! Wish I'd had a camera with me.

[SheLion]

Isn't it Somalia that has one of the highest rates of female circumcision in the world? Unbelievable that this kind of barbaric ritual still exists anywhere in the world.

Yes. And I have heard rumors that this practice carry's on down in Lewiston.

[hershey]

Maine's been in the PC grip for some time. I have no idea what happened to Yankee independence and common sense. Vermont is worse, if possible. Has to be the influx of liberal settlers.