[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The National Human Rights Commission announced on the 2nd that it has recommended the Minister of Health and Welfare and others to improve related laws and systems to protect and promote the human rights of elderly residents in nursing facilities.
Previously, from November last year for one month, the Human Rights Commission conducted on-site investigations at nine elderly nursing facilities nationwide, including Gangnam-gu in Seoul, Gwangju-si, Gapyeong-gun, and Yangpyeong-gun in Gyeonggi Province, Chuncheon-si in Gangwon Province, Boryeong-si and Dangjin-si in Chungnam Province, Gurye-gun in Jeonnam Province, and Yeongdeok-gun in Gyeongbuk Province. The investigation revealed multiple cases of human rights concerns such as ▲lack of legal grounds or detailed guidelines for the use of physical restraints ▲insufficient fall prevention facilities and measures ▲installation of CCTV inside shower rooms.
Based on the on-site investigation results, the Human Rights Commission recommended to the Minister of Health and Welfare and the heads of local governments overseeing the nine elderly nursing facilities to organize and operate elderly human rights protection teams, implement fall prevention measures, and specify legal grounds related to the use of physical restraints in the Elderly Welfare Act. The Commission stated, "We regularly conduct on-site investigations to protect and promote the human rights of residents not only in elderly welfare facilities but also in social welfare facilities for children, homeless people, and persons with disabilities," and added, "We plan to continue closely monitoring the human rights conditions of facility residents and take various measures to ensure effective improvements."
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