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In May, Belgium
became the second country in the world to legalise euthanasia when
the lower house of the Belgian Parliament endorsed a bill which had
been approved by the Belgian Senate in October 2001. The vote was
86 for, 51 against and 10 abstentions.
Euthanasia is described as an act on purpose, performed by a third
person, in order to end the life of a person who has requested that
this be done. Only a registered physician can perform euthanasia,
and no doctor will be prosecuted as long as a number of conditions
are met. These are clearly specified and closely follow those already
in effect in the Netherlands. They are also similar to those contained
in the Northern Territory law during the time it was in effect.
Conditions are also
set out concerning the protocol to be followed by the doctor to
whom the request is made.
- He must fully inform
the patient about treatment options, life expectancy, palliative
care possibilities and be convinced that
is no other reasonable solution.
- The doctor must
be certain that the patient is suffering consistent and unrelievable
pain.
- A second doctor
must be consulted to confirm the initial diagnosis and prognosis.
- The patient's request
must be discussed with the nursing staff involved and with the
relatives of the patient.
- A period of one
month must elapse between the written request of the patient and
the act of euthanasia.
- After the doctor
has performed euthanasia, he must report it to the Federal Commission
of Control and Evaluation which will then conduct a full investigation
into the file of the deceased person.
The law provides for
euthanasia to be performed on patients who are unconscious as long
as they have made a living will within the past five years and which
has been added to the medical file of the patient.
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