A hospital in the Austrian city of Salzburg has rejected a demand made by a foreign-born Muslim man who insisted that his wife be treated exclusively by female doctors and nurses.
The man, described as a migrant with limited German proficiency, claims that his wife’s request for female-only care at the Salzburg North State Hospital (CDK) was ignored, amounting to what he called discrimination and a violation of human dignity.
The man filed a formal complaint, excerpts of which were seen and published by the Austrian news outlet Krone.
The complaint, submitted to the Salzburg patient advocacy office, includes a detailed letter in which the man demands a written apology from the hospital and official recognition that such requests for gender-specific treatment are “legally permissible and binding.” He argues that denying his wife’s request on religious and cultural grounds breached Austrian law.
“Despite my repeated requests that my wife may only be treated by women for religious reasons, this was refused,” the complaint read.
“I consider this a violation of human rights and a great disrespect to our culture and religion. I repeatedly emphasized that my wife expressly requests to be treated only by female staff, especially during intimate or gynecological examinations.
“I demand a written apology as well as confirmation that this request is legally permissible and will be respected in the future.”
The hospital, in its official written response, firmly denies any wrongdoing. “Medical and nursing care is provided by male and/or female staff, depending on the shift schedule. A free choice of doctor is neither provided for nor possible in a public hospital,” the response states. It further emphasizes that the complainant’s interpretation of legal rights is flawed, adding: “Under no circumstances do these justify discriminating against our employees on the basis of gender.”
Hospital spokesperson Wolfgang Fürweger confirmed the existence of the complaint to the Krone but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
“No, there is no legal basis for that,” said legal expert Gerhard Jelinek to the news outlet when asked whether patients have the right to choose a doctor based on gender in Austria’s public health system.
The complaint remains under review.
The post Muslim migrant’s demand for female-only care for wife at Salzburg hospital rejected, sparking complaint appeared first on Remix News.
Remix News
