The Cyprus Medical Association (CMA) and Patients Federation (Osak) on Tuesday called for legislating palliative care for all before moving on to euthanasia as parliament prepares to debate the right to die.
In a joint statement, the two groups expressed their concern that a law on euthanasia, or “assisted suicide” would encourage people suffering from a disease to look for an end.
It suggested that if individuals do not meet the criteria set out in the legislation, “they may look to other solutions, more dangerous or torturous for themselves, or even their families.
“Without underestimating in the least, the pain, suffering and torment that people who are very close to death often experience; and without undermining the right of every person to make decisions for themselves, our position at this stage is that before any legislation on the issue of euthanasia is enacted, it must be preceded by an institutional guarantee of access for all citizens to palliative care, to proper medical, nursing and other care at home that they need.”
The groups said doctors were on the front line, experiencing first hand the pain and suffering of ill patients.
Nonetheless, palliative care is only available to cancer patients in a privately run service, the statement said.
Other patients do not have these facilities and there is no relevant legislation in place for this, CMA and Osak said.
“Cancer is not the only disease which tortures people and drives them to desperation. Unfortunately, hundreds of people in Cyprus suffering from other diseases their entire lives are in a similar or just as difficult situation.”
The groups said the wording in the bill referring to patients “in their final stages” implies this only refers to cancer patients.
Akel MP Irene Charalambides in a press conference last week presenting the bill did not specify this detail.
She underlined the aim of the bill is to ensure people have the right to the choice, even if no one opts to use it.
“Death is a given. We respect the human right for patients to choose how they wish to go,” she said.
The Akel MP added that 30 Cypriots have travelled to Switzerland to take advantage of the country’s euthanasia and medically assisted suicide laws. She added that she wanted to publicly present the bill to prevent misinformation on the topic.
