- Care of the Sikh
- Care of the Muslim
- Care of the Jehovah Witness
- Care of the Budhist
- Care of the Christian Scientist
- Care of the Seventh Day Adventist
HEALTH CARE FOR THE SIKH POPULATION
Sikh’s are important part to the history of India and its making as a nation. Sikh religion is quite new to the world, known as one of the youngest religions practiced, which is one reason that it is not very popular in foreign countries. The Sikh population is however, increasing in the United States, and it has become an issue of importance whereas administration of health care to Sikh patients is of concern. There are at least 500,000 Sikhs living in the United States, and the health care to these 500,000 people should be given the same amount of importance as other groups, which is why education regarding this group is really important.
Sikhs believe that there is only One, Universal, Formless, Timeless God of all the people, Who is also the creator of this universe and all living beings. There are five crucial rules they abide by and that is
- 1) Un-cut hair (Kesh), a gift from God representing spirituality;
- 2) A wooden comb (Kangha), symbolizes cleanliness;
- 3) A steel bracelet (Kara), represents self restraint and link to God;
- 4) A short sword (Kirpaan), an emblem of courage and commitment to truth and justice;
- 5) A type of underwear knickers (Kachhehra), represents purity of moral character.
The religious significance of the headdress (a male turban or a female scarf) should be respected, because it is a covering for one of the 5K's (Kesh) and is also a symbol of a Sikh's honor. Generally, practicing Sikhs do not cut their hair, and do not consume tobacco products, alcohol, intoxicants or other illicit drugs.
During times of sickness and disease, Sikhs pray to seek God's help, remember Waheguru (God's name) to obtain peace, ask for forgiveness, and recite or listen to Gurbani. Sikh patients may consider illness to be the will of God, and also believe that God is merciful and benevolent, but one has to make an effort to get well which includes medical treatment.
- • The sanctity of life is an injunction. Human life is of the highest form.
- •Blood transfusions are allowed.
- •Assisted suicide and euthanasia are not encouraged.
- •Maintaining a terminal patient on artificial life support for a prolonged period in a vegetative state is not encouraged.
- •Organ transplantation, both donating and receiving, is allowed.
- •Autopsy is permitted.
- •Artificial reproductive technology is permitted only during the span of an intact marriage between husband and wife.
- •Genetic engineering to cure a disease is acceptable. To date, Sikhs are opposed to human cloning.
- •Abortion is not advised except for medical indications.
- •Male infants are not circumcised.
Important Points
- •Respect modesty and privacy (knock on the door, announce your arrival, etc.).
- •Do not interrupt a praying patient for routine care.
- •Respect the patient's personal space by limiting unnecessary touching.
- •Be sensitive to the significance of the Sikh's five K's, (religious symbols or articles of faith) which they may choose to wear on their person at all times. Again, they are uncut hair (Kesh), a wooden comb (Kangha), a steel bracelet (Kara), underwear (Kachhehra), and a ceremonial sword (Kirpaan).
- •After removing their headdress, Sikh patients may want to keep their head covered with an alternative covering such as a small turban or a scarf. (A surgical bouffant cap is acceptable.) The headdress should be respected, and if removed, it should be given to the family or placed with the patient's personal belongings. Do not place the headdress with the shoes.
- •Infants may be required to wear religious symbols e.g. "Kara" (a steel bracelet).
- •Consult patient, family (or the parents in case of an child) prior to shaving or removing hair from any part of the patient's body. This applies to both male and female patients.
- •Sikh women may insist on covering their bodies with more than a hospital gown. They may request that when possible, examinations be done while a female patient wears a gown.
- •Although Sikhism does not ban treatment from being provided by a practitioner of the opposite sex, providing the patient with of the same sex practitioner when possible is preferable, especially if the patient requests it.
Important aspects in care for Sikh patients include:
- •Many Sikhs are new immigrants from Punjab, or other countries and may have language comprehension problems. Therefore, take time to explain tests, procedures, side effects and treatments to the patient and appropriate family members. It may be necessary to arrange for a Punjabi language interpreter.
- •Cleanliness is part of the Sikh way of life. Daily bathing and personal hygiene care should be provided unless advised otherwise by the attending physician due to a medical reason. Washing and conditioning of hair, including male facial hair, with shampoo or soap should be done as frequently as needed. Hair can be dried naturally or with an electric hair dryer. Hair should be combed daily at a minimum.
- •It is a Sikh cultural and religious practice to visit the sick. Be open and understanding of visits by family members, children and well wishers, when practical.
- •For Sikh patients who are victims of domestic violence in the Chicago Metropolitan area, contact Sikh Religious Society of Chicago 847-358-1117; Apna Ghar 773-334-4663; Indo-American Center 773-973-4444 or Asian Human Services 773-728-2235. They provide specialized shelter and counseling for Asian victims.
- •If congregational Sikh prayers are being held at the institution, inform other Sikh patients.
For their prayers, they may want an quiet and clean room to pray. Identify Sikh physicians or other health care providers on your staff who can act as liaisons with Sikh patients.
Inform individuals of their rights as patients and encourage them to have advance directives. Sikhs do not eat any ritual meat prepared by either sacrificing the animal to please God, or by killing the animal slowly to drain out the blood. Zabiha/Halal meat, (meat prepared the Islamic way), is forbidden for Sikhs to partake. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals are individual preferences. If there are no dietary restrictions, the patient may be asked his/her food preferences, and/or allow patients to bring food from home. Sikhs do not observe fasting for any religious reasons.
End of life care:
It is important that funeral and cremation arrangements be made in advance in consultation with the family and according to the wishes of the dying or deceased patient, if possible.With minimum delay, the body is to be removed to the funeral home for expeditious cremation, unless the family is waiting for a close relative to arrive. Provide routine post-mortem care. The body should be covered with clean linens and shrouded. If the person is wearing any of the 5K's, they should remain with the body.