Mumbai: The state department of medical education has instructed all medical professionals, including deans and undergraduate students, across its 46 institutions specialising in allopathy, dentistry, ayurveda, and homeopathy to wear white aprons.
There was widespread non-compliance regarding apron usage within health science institutions across the state, said the letter signed by Directorate of Medical Education & Research director Dr Ajay Chandanwale. “It is the ethical responsibility of the faculty, teachers, pre-graduation/post-graduation/inter-resident students, resident doctors, and all other doctors as well as teaching staff and students to wear aprons in the teaching classrooms and while providing patient care,” said the letter.
A DMER official said that the white apron serves as a distinguishing feature of medical professionals in healthcare settings. This would enable patients to easily recognise and approach medical staff for assistance, he added.
The directive specifies that aprons must be “white, clean, neat and all buttoned” and should not be carried by hand or draped over shoulders.
The notice stipulates that staff, students, or resident doctors found without proper apron attire must provide verbal justification. Subsequent violations will require written explanations from the offenders.