Having barely recovered from the veil controversy we now have Muslim medical students who refuse to treat patients with alcohol related and sexually transmitted diseases (News and Letters, last week).

The fact that some students have given up their training rather than examine women gives an indication of how misled they are. It would be appalling if we are allowed to choose on religious grounds and the greatest losers would be Muslims themselves. I have not come across any such teachings in Islam. We have obligations to our employers and, as doctors, to our patients.

When we see a patient, we do not treat a Muslim, a Jew, a Hindu or a Christian. It is encouraging that some Muslim scholars disagree with Sainsbury’s for allowing its staff to refuse to sell what they do not like – anybody who encourages such actions is not doing the Muslims any favour.

It is time we looked within ourselves. Freedom of religion and tolerance in the UK should not be misused.

Dr Mehmood Mir
Chesterfield, Derbyshire

FUNDAMENTAL VIEWS: The effect of religious persuasion on clinical practice is nothing new. My wife and I have clashing blood groups (Rhesus incompatibility). We have two children, the second of whom was seriously affected at birth; the third baby (now some 40 years ago) died “in utero” approaching full term. We had been advised that successive pregnancies would be badly affected and asked for my wife to be sterilised during the caesarean to deliver the third. The surgeon refused; he was a Catholic. The circumstances were traumatic enough without having to contend with intransigent views.

Fortunately, the procedure did take place. My wife and I, as Christians, believe this was the best solution to an ongoing medical problem.

Ron Naylor
Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

PUT CURB ON OBJECTIONS: Healthcare professionals should only be allowed to have conscientious objections to certain procedures or treatments if these are “life and death” issues, such as performing an abortion. And, even in these situations, there must be the obligation to refer anyone seeking the specific care to other professionals.

Furthermore, a register (open to the public) of all individuals who invoke conscientious objections to avoid what is normally required of their profession, should be kept by the professional body to which they belong.

Michael Irwin
Secular Medical Forum

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