1.31 Million People Intend to Refuse Life-Sustaining Treatment... Elderly Welfare Center Registration to Be Possible in the Future

Advance Medical Directive.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] From now on, elderly welfare centers will also be able to express their intention to refuse life-sustaining treatment.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 15th that, according to the amendment of the "Act on Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatment for Patients at the End of Life and Hospice and Palliative Care," 30 elderly welfare centers have been newly designated as institutions for registering advance directives on life-sustaining treatment.

Previously, this was only possible at local health care institutions, medical institutions, non-profit corporations, non-profit private organizations, and public institutions, but with this legal amendment, elderly welfare centers have been added.

An advance directive on life-sustaining treatment refers to a document in which adults aged 19 or older express their intention regarding the discontinuation of life-sustaining treatment. Currently, the total number of people who have completed advance directives on life-sustaining treatment nationwide has reached 1.31 million as of the end of last month.

A Ministry of Health and Welfare official said, “We will actively strive to create an environment where citizens can realize a dignified end of life and exercise their right to self-determination.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.