A country report: impact of COVID-19 and inequity of health on South Korea’s disabled community during a pandemic

Abstract

The South Korean media boasts of its leading success-during the escalation of the coronavirus outbreak-in flattening of the curve thereby mitigating the grave outcomes of the public health crisis. Much of the success is reportedly attributed to the rapid and advanced development of test kits, essential equipment and implementation of protocols in precautionary measures. However, it has been an arduous task to stay afloat for one particular vulnerable community. The disabled citizens of Korea were confronted by the realities of health inequity during this disastrous period. Preexisting the pandemic onset, the disabled community have faced stigmatization and under many circumstances de-prioritization by their own society. Through the lense of a visiting physician, my hope is to poignantly and respectfully share personal experiences and thoughts on these realties impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Lockdown-Related Disparities Experienced by People with Disabilities during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review with Thematic Analysis

“…Table 1 shows how the papers that were analysed are distributed by publication type and source, by geographical focus, and by the health conditions or impairments addressed. [110,111] Ecological study 1 (1.2%) [112] Survey research, with qualitative analysis 1 (1.2%) [31] Quantitative analysis of contacts to support services 1 (1.2%) [113] Analysis of webpages on accessibility compliance 1 (1.2%) [114] Documentary research and framework analysis 1 (1.2%) [115] Country case report 1(1.2%) [116] Empirical studies (peer-…”

“…People with disabilities had reduced access to in-person healthcare services due to lack of appropriate transportation during lockdowns [51,73,116]. Access to alternative telehealth solutions was hampered too (details in theme #10), while financial coverage for healthcare services also can be reduced (details in theme #9).…”

“…Moreover, people with disabilities who live in the community but need personal assistance experienced difficulties accessing required medication, food, or assistance in ADLs (e.g., bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting needs) [49,72,80,81,84,85,95,101,116].…”

Triple jeopardy: disabled people and the COVID-19 pandemic

“…14,15 Inadequate preparedness for the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities has been shockingly familiar. People with disabilities have been overlooked or are an afterthought in the education provision for children with special educational needs, 9,12,16 the provision of personal protective equipment in social care, [4][5][6] or the inclusion of sign language in government announcements. In Uganda, school closures have led to the exclusion of many young people with disabilities since educational materials are not in accessible formats and access to assistive technology, including the internet, has been a challenge.…”

“…Worldwide, disasters and emergencies often disproportionately impact the disability community, and this pandemic is no exception. 8 , 9 , 10 People with disabilities have faced many barriers to inclusion in the COVID-19 response ( panel ). The lockdown measures societies have taken during the COVID-19 pandemic have meant people with disabilities are worse off and more excluded.…”