Health Ministry tentatively approves Ulsan hospital's closure plan amid patient transfer concerns

Ulsan's Banguidae Hospital, which recently announced its closure after a series of patient deaths, has submitted a plan to complete all patient transfers by September 3. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has tentatively agreed to this plan, despite ongoing investigations into the deaths and criticism that the rapid closure could lead to inadequate care for vulnerable patients.

“

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is being irresponsible. Aren't they ultimately leaving it up to the hospital to handle things?

The hospital, known as the "last resort" for patients with severe developmental disabilities whom other facilities refuse to admit, houses 182 patients, over half of whom have developmental disabilities. The hospital's decision to close came after another patient death on August 2, prompting an emergency closure announcement. The hospital informed the Ulju County Public Health Center of its intention to cease operations on September 3.

Civil society groups, including the Ulsan Banguidae Psychiatric Hospital Joint Countermeasures Committee, have expressed strong opposition to the hospital's transfer plan. They argue that the plan fails to confirm the wishes and needs of the patients, potentially leading to another instance of prolonged institutionalization and human rights violations. The committee has filed an urgent request for intervention with the National Human Rights Commission, calling for the immediate formation of a public-private joint emergency response committee.

“

It is not a matter that can be resolved by a single hospital arbitrarily sending patients somewhere. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and local governments also have responsibility for this situation.

Experts have also voiced concerns about the Ministry of Health and Welfare's seemingly passive approach. Lee Jong-guk, head of psychiatry at Worjin Foundation's Green Hospital, criticized the ministry for "irresponsibly" leaving the matter to the hospital. He argued that the ministry and local governments share responsibility for the situation and that a clear command structure is needed. Lee likened the hospital's self-managed closure to "entrusting post-incident processing to criminals," given the alleged incidents at the facility.

“

Banguidae Hospital is a site of accidents, disasters, and crimes. It's like entrusting post-incident processing to criminals.