whitebeard

Don't curse the darkness, light a candle.

Eluana Englaro our  Terry Schiavo.
Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 21:04:26
From: org.opn.lists.right-to-die@lists.opn.org
Subject: The italian medical Code
J would like to correct this affermation of "The International Tribune" reported on 15 May 2007 (org.opn.lists.right-to-die Digest, Vol. 13, Issue 91): " (In Italy) The Constitution supports that right ( right to reject medical treatment), but the medical code does not require doctors to respect it, and in fact instructs doctors to try to keep patients alive."
The italian medical Code (2006) prohibits aggressive medical treatment in its art. 16.
In art. 35 the medical Code says that medical treatment cannot be carried out against the patient's will and, if the patient is incompetent, the doctor must not use aggressive medical treatment and must take into account the advanced will of the patient.
Art. 36: the doctor must take into account the will of the patient, when he offers emergency aid.
Art. 38: the doctor must observe the will of the patient regarding the medical treatment and must respect the dignity, freedom and autonomy of the patient.
Art. 53: the doctor cannot force a patient, who does not want to eat.
Eluana Englaro, who has been hospitalized in a deep coma (SVP) since an auto accident in 1992, continues to live because she is given artificial feeding and liquids, but she did not write advanced directives. There are testimonies provided by her parents and friends , but, as there is not yet a law about advanced directives in Italy, it is not possible for the moment to act in the same way as in the case of Terry Schiavo.
Maria Di Chio (vice-chairman of the society "Libera Uscita").

posted by: Whitebeard at 07:29 | link | comments |
civil rights