Consider euthanasia for the terminally ill

Cancer can be a frightening, debilitating and fatal disease, and is the No 1 cause of death here. One of my relatives died recently from pancreatic cancer.

During her three-month stay at Changi General Hospital (CGH), she was very weak and uncomfortable. Her family and relatives empathised with her predicament, but could do little to relieve her suffering.

Despite the best of care rendered by CGH oncologists and other members of the medical team, her condition deteriorated. She was transferred to Bright Vision Hospice, where she died peacefully after three days.

The doctor’s prognosis had been that she would not live long, and she did not receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery or any life-sustaining treatment. While her struggle with pancreatic cancer lasted only three months, she suffered immensely, which grieved her family and relatives.

It is time for the Health Ministry to consider legalising doctor-administered euthanasia for patients in the final stages of terminal illnesses, to relieve and shorten their suffering. The Advance Medical Directive may not always suffice. This issue is becoming especially pertinent given our ageing population, and should be addressed despite its contentious nature.