This is a short audio extract from the NHK G TV programme ‘News Watch 9’ broadcast on January 19th 2024, reporting about the elderly and people with disabilities in Ishikawa prefecture after the earthquake on January 1st 2024.
Fourteen people who evacuated to safety are now believed to have died from causes related to the earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture. Medical experts warn the figure could increase due to poor sanitary conditions in shelters.
On January 15th, NHK reported how some elderly people are hesitant to evacuate out of Ishikawa prefecture because it may disrupt their medical care regime.
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.
A survey has found that caregivers at facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities are working under extreme stress following the earthquake.
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.
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.
A survey has found that caregivers at facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities are working under extreme stress following the massive earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day.
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 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.
There is a growing sense of caution regarding infectious diseases such as COVID-19 at an evacuation center in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture, where more than 200 people have been evacuated.
A total of 14 people — those suspected of contracting infectious diseases and their family members — have been separated from other evacuees. They have been placed in three classrooms and a medical room on Tuesday at Ogi Junior High School, which has been turned into a shelter.
Of the total, eight died of indirect causes related to the earthquake, including exhaustion and poor health during evacuation. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the number of people still unaccounted for stood at 52.
The Japanese government plans to focus more on preventing deaths from indirect causes, rushing to move evacuees, especially elderly people, from stopgap shelters to more livable accommodation out of concern about deteriorating sanitary conditions.
Of the total, eight died of indirect causes related to the earthquake, including exhaustion and poor health during evacuation. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the number of people still unaccounted for stood at 52.
The Japanese government plans to focus more on preventing deaths from indirect causes, rushing to move evacuees, especially elderly people, from stopgap shelters to more livable accommodation out of concern about deteriorating sanitary conditions.
According to Ishikawa Prefecture, as of 10 a.m. on the 4th, damage such as water outages and power outages had been confirmed at around 120 elderly facilities in the prefecture, including special nursing homes and group homes.
Residents are not able to take a bath, and the toilets cannot be flushed, raising concerns about hygiene.
Residents are not able to take a bath, and the toilets cannot be flushed, raising concerns about hygiene.
Barrier Free Japan