Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has issued guidelines on implementation of a proclamation that permits, euthanasia or medically assisted death in the East African country, APA can report on Monday.
Last January, the House of People’s Representatives, the lower chamber of the Ethiopian parliament, endorsed a proclamation that allowed physician-assisted death in the country.
The guidelines were issued after health authorities had thoroughly deliberated on a draft directive on the implementation of passive euthanasia or medically assisted death, an official told APA on condition of anonymity.
The directive, which was seen by APA, states the proper implementation of these measures, which are designed to assist individuals suffering from incurable illnesses.
The draft stipulates that at least three health professionals must agree on a diagnosis before the decision can be made. The patient’s close relatives can also voluntarily request to take the patient off life support through a written document.
The draft defines euthanasia as “the deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life to relieve intractable suffering” and permits its use for patients who are totally dependent on external support to maintain cardiac and respiratory function or patients diagnosed as brain dead.
MG/as/APA