Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-06-08
Shih Tzung-liang, head of the Department of Medical Affairs of the health ministry, said
Shih said the the new Patient Right to Autonomy Act will allow patients to refuse life-prolonging treatments.
the new Patient Right to Autonomy Act will allow patients to refuse life-prolonging treatments. The new law is scheduled to take effect from January 2019.
Fu Ta-jen, a prominent media persona, recently ended his life via assisted suicide at a clinic in Switzerland. Fu had called for the legalization of euthanasia in Taiwan for many years.
On Friday, Shih said that the new act will allow patients to refuse life-prolonging treatments, such as tube feeding, and live out the remainder of their life with dignity.
“The Patient Right to Autonomy Act allows patients to keep their dignity. The law covers patients who are terminally ill, in a persistent vegetable state, irreversible coma, those with severe dementia, and other conditions with insufferable pain,” said Shih.
Asked about euthanasia, Shih said society has not reached a consensus on the matter.
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