2023-06-04 09:46:59
67 victims of Itaewon disaster apply for extension of support
Submit proof and wait for the result
On the followingnoon of the 20th of last month, at the ‘200th Day Citizens’ Commemoration Ceremony for the 200th Day of the Itaewon Disaster, the Second 100 Days of the Bereaved Families Conveying on the Street’ held on the followingnoon of the 20th of last month, the bereaved families and regarding 200 citizens held hand signs with phrases such as ‘Establish a special law for the Itaewon disaster’. holding and shouting slogans. Reporter Park Ji-young jyp@hani.co.kr
After losing his family in the Itaewon disaster on October 29 last year, Mr. A has been receiving neurologist treatment for severe stress headaches. From immediately following the disaster until the end of April, he was classified as a recipient of government subsidy for medical expenses, so he was able to reduce the burden of expenses. In early May, in order to extend the period of support for his medical expenses, he had to submit documents such as a doctor’s note to the government. Mr. A said that it was a great pain for him to explain to medical staff and others that he was a survivor of a victim of the Itaewon disaster. As a result of confirming with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 4th, 67 people, like Mr. A, who suffered from mental and physical illness due to the Itaewon disaster last month applied for an extension of medical expenses support to the government. Previously, the government provided support for medical expenses for the casualties and their families (spouse, lineal ascendant, descendant, siblings) and relief activity participants who were at the site on the day of the disaster for six months, until April 28 this year. Afterwards, victims of the disaster must apply for an extension of support to the government to receive support for medical expenses. The Ministry of Health and Welfare received an application for an extension of support last month and requested documents proving the need for treatment, such as a doctor’s note. Currently, the ‘Itaewon Accident Medical Expense Support Deliberation Committee’ is reviewing the data submitted by the applicants and reviewing whether to support the medical expenses. Those like Mr. A, who were previously eligible for government support, are waiting for the results of the deliberation by submitting evidence that they need treatment just because six months have passed since the disaster. Those who have experienced damage from social and natural disasters, including the Itaewon disaster, are at high risk of suffering from long-term followingeffects, such as suffering or worsening mental and physical illness. Considering this, government-level support for medical expenses should be provided stably, but there is no specific provision in the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management (Disaster and Safety Act). The reality is that the government decides the recipients and the period of support for medical expenses on a case-by-case basis. There is no standard for payment of nursing expenses, so not only in the Itaewon disaster, but also in the case of humidifier disinfectant or Sewol ferry disaster, support for expenses that fell short of the amount actually borne by the victims was provided. Shin Hyun-young, a member of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said that one of the ways to solve this problem is for the state and local governments to support expenses incurred in the treatment of physical and mental diseases, injuries and sequelae caused by disasters, and the use of nursing care and assistive devices. It was announced on the same day that it plans to propose an amendment to the Disaster Safety Act, which has newly established ground rules. Rep. Shin said, “The state should be responsible for the medical expenses and nursing expenses for disaster victims stably over a long period of time, not piecemeal support.” Reporter Lim Jae-hee limj@hani.co.kr
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