Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/05/27
By: Chen Wei-ting and Elizabeth Hs

Taipei, May 27 (CNA) The Ministry of Health and Welfare has drafted regulations

Image taken from Pixabay

for the implementation of a new law that stipulates respect for patient autonomy in healthcare, including clear definitions of patient rights to the termination of life-sustaining treatments, as well as artificial nutrition and hydration.

The draft regulations, which the ministry said will be published in the near future, were prepared for the implementation of the new Patient Right to Autonomy Act, which is set to become effective on Jan. 6, 2019.

Under the act, which was touted as the first of its kind in Asia, patients in five clinical conditions who have made an advance decision in healthcare, may have medical institutions or physicians partially or fully terminate, withdraw, or withhold life-sustaining treatments, artificial nutrition and hydration in accordance with the advance decision.    [FULL  STORY]