Human Rights Commission "Need to Establish Hospitalization Guidelines and Protocols for Transgender Individuals"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The National Human Rights Commission announced on the 26th that it has recommended the Minister of Health and Welfare to establish guidelines for the hospitalization of transgender individuals.

Previously, in October 2021, the Human Rights Commission received a complaint from a transgender woman who was denied admission to a hospital affiliated with a university after being directed to a male ward due to her resident registration indicating male gender. The complainant reportedly claimed that this was "discrimination based on gender identity."

On the other hand, the hospital argued that under the Medical Service Act, hospital rooms are operated separately by gender, and the criteria follow the legal gender. They also added that aside from the complainant in 2021, two other transgender patients had been admitted and all used single rooms at their own expense.

The Human Rights Commission viewed the complaint as a measure contrary to the basic principle of equal treatment and determined that separate guidelines are necessary regarding the use by transgender individuals. Furthermore, it explained that the recommendation to prepare guidelines or protocols related to the hospitalization of transgender patients was made because of regulatory deficiencies or gaps in related agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare.