Brampton, Oct 10, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) acknowledges the public apology issued by William Osler Health System regarding the deeply concerning incident at Brampton Civic Hospital, where a Sikh patient’s beard was shaved without consent or medical necessity, in violation of his religious beliefs.
The WSO appreciates that Osler has accepted full responsibility for this serious breach and has committed to taking corrective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Last month, the family of Joginder Singh Kaler approached the WSO for assistance after Mr. Kaler’s beard was shaved without permission. Shaving or removal of hair is a violation of the beliefs of practicing Sikhs. Since then, the WSO has worked closely with the family and Osler Health in investigating the incident.
WSO President Danish Singh said, “The incident involving Mr. Kaler was both unacceptable and deeply shocking. While the error was irreversible, along with the pain caused to Mr. Kaler and his family, we are hopeful that this unfortunate event can lead to positive changes, ensuring that the religious beliefs and practices of all patients are respected going forward.
Brampton is home to one of the largest Sikh communities outside of Punjab, and it is crucial that the hospitals serving this community are fully aware of Sikh practices and respectful of them. The community must have confidence that their beliefs will be upheld in all aspects of care.
The WSO is committed to continuing its work with Osler to safeguard the rights of Sikh patients. We welcome Osler’s apology as an important first step, but we also recognize that there is much work ahead to ensure that such an incident never happens again.
We look forward to ongoing dialogue and collaboration with Osler to create an environment where all patients receive care that respects their cultural and religious identities.”
The WSO will remain engaged with William Osler Health System and the broader community to ensure that meaningful changes are implemented and that healthcare providers across the country are equipped with the resources and education necessary to meet the needs of Sikh patients and others from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
