What is the meaning of this statement made by the Ayatollah Sistani?

Question

2450. If a woman is rendered helpless by her disease, and if the only helpful treatment to her can be given by a male doctor, she can refer to him. And if that male doctor must look at her to be able to treat her, or to touch her for that matter, there is no objection. However, if he can treat her by looking at her, he should not touch her body, and if he can treat her by touching her body, he should not look at her.

Shouldn't a doctor be more concerned with helping his patient, than whether or not he should be touching her body and not looking or looking and not touching?

Repeated postings of the same question? If you bother to read them you will see two entirely different questions.

Honestly guys, I am not asking these questions to be controversial. I have been studying Sistant's website and I am only asking where is the justification in Islam for such statements.

Answer 1

REPORTED---AGAIN! Repeated postings of same "Question."

Answer 2

look, all he's saying is that out of dignity, it is better for women to have female doctors, and if i am not mistaken, in that particular example, he is talking mainly about a woman's private area. but he actually makes it very clear that obviousy, if she can only get a male doctor, there is nothing wrong with it. i mean, he doesnt want people dying. i also think the last sentence was probably mistranslated a little towards the end.

Answer 3

If the doctor can diagnose the woman's illness with touching her that is what is to be done.

If the doctor must touch the woman to diagnose her illness then that is fine because the touching is within the bounds of his calling.

Basically you do not touch a woman who is not your sister, mother, daughter, or wife without need.

I don't see a problem with that.