Karnataka makes it mandatory for hospitals to have salons

In order to improve the personal hygiene of patients, the Karnataka Government has instructed all government hospitals to make sure that their patients as well as their attendants have well-kept beards and hair.

Karnataka Government has issued a directive to all health officers in the State, asking them to set up hair salons in the premises. The request on behalf of State Health Minister Ramesh Kumar read as “Create space in the hospital premises for barbers to set up shops and submit a compliance report.”

Taking into consideration certain religious beliefs, patients or staff members will not be forced to trim their beards or cut their hair as the government does not want to hurt the sentiments of the people. “This is not a hard-and-fast rule; it is only aimed at ensuring a better hospital environment. The sentiments of different religious communities will be respected and no one will be forced to change his or her looks against their will,” a senior health department official said.

While talking to media, Kumar said, “These hospitals also get accident victims and hernia patients. Body hair has to be removed to conduct surgeries or to administer treatment, and we cannot go running in search of a barber in such circumstances. Hence, the directive is to set up barber shops.”