Patient beds are seen in a hospital in an undated image [PEXELS]
A government proposal to scrap a longstanding requirement that hospital inpatient rooms be separated by sex is drawing growing backlash as of Sunday.
The Health Ministry says the change is intended to better reflect current medical practices and ease caregiving burdens for spouses and family members, but many are concerned it could undermine patient privacy and increase the risk of sexual misconduct.
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The notice, proposing changes to the Medical Service Act, was posted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Wednesday. While the second provision of the 35th article in the rule stipulates that “inpatient rooms shall be operated separately for men and women,” the proposed amendment would annul that provision.
