A bill aimed at requiring surveillance cameras in operating rooms was approved by a parliamentary committee, following nine months of deliberation.

The bill, which passed the Health and Welfare Committee on Monday, requires operating rooms to have closed-circuit television(CCTV), though not connected to an external network, with a two-year grace period after the bill's proclamation.

Recording is mandatory when requested by a patient, and the footage can be accessed by a public agency for an investigation or trial when consent is given by both the patient and medical personnel.

The bill includes a clause that allows doctors to deny recording on justifiable grounds, such as an emergency surgery when a patient’s life is in danger.

Audio recordings are only allowed when both the patient and medical personnel give consent.

Medical facilities are required to keep recorded footage for 30 day or longer and to ensure they are not leaked or damaged.