After the Quake, Concerns Rise for Service Users and Staff at Ishikawa Care Facilities

By Barrier Free Japan, NHK

January 14 2024

ISHIKAWA – A massive earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year’s Day has now claimed 215 lives in Ishikawa Prefecture. Fourteen people who evacuated to safety are now believed to have died from causes related to the disaster. Medical experts warn the figure could increase due to poor sanitary conditions in shelters.

As of January 12th, more than 22,000 citizens are staying at about 380 municipal shelters, including school gymnasiums.

Shelters in Shika Town have been hit by COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks.

To prevent further infections, town officials decided to gather patients with infectious diseases in one facility.

Two nurses are on duty around-the-clock.

This hospital in Wajima City has been admitting about 10 patients with infectious diseases every day. It has more than 100 beds but doctors worry they may be occupied within a week.

Kawasaki Kuniyuki at Wajima Municipal Hospital said, “The shelters appear to be experiencing cluster infections. Patients’ symptoms are worsening before they arrive here. This is placing a significant strain on our operations.”

Some nursing care homes still lack water or power. All 27 elderly people at this facility have been forced to stay in hallways after the quake damaged part of the building.

A survey has found that caregivers at facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities are working under extreme stress following the massive earthquake.

The Noto Welfare Relief Volunteer Network delivered relief supplies and surveyed 12 welfare facilities in Wajima City, Anamizu Town, and Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture on Saturday and Sunday.

The network includes non-profit organizations and university researchers who support welfare facilities in the region.

The group says all nine facilities that responded to questions said some of their staff are unable to report to work or remain unaccounted for.

The facilities said they are continuing to provide support in a difficult situation.

One facility said only ten percent of its staff are able to come to work, and that some employees have been working since New Year’s Day.

Others said staff who cannot go home because their houses have collapsed have been sleeping at their workplace. Some facilities expressed concern about their staff’s mental and physical condition.

The volunteer network says all 12 facilities had no running water. Some facilities said they found it difficult to manage basic sanitary needs and oral hygiene of those in their care.

Others said some people receiving care for dementia cannot understand the situation, and that many have become mentally unstable and incontinent.