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18 April 2007
BRUSSELS – The Flemish liberals Open VLD want patients in all government-funded hospitals to have the right to euthanasia if they so choose.
The hospital should make provisions for this option if a patient comes up against opposition from a physician who on principle refuse to perform euthanasia.
This proposal is included in the draft version of the party’s electoral platform presented on Wednesday.
The philosophy behind the proposal is that it is not enough that the ethical achievements not be reversed during the next legislative term, but that they are also effectively put into practice. The government must therefore monitor that institutions which receive government funding are actually enforcing the law.
The Flemish liberals do not object to physicians having the right to refuse to perform euthanasia, but in such cases the hospital itself must ensure that the patient’s request is carried out by another doctor.
[Copyright Expatica News 2007]
Subject: Belgian news