- Palliative cares: an alternative to euthanasia?
The above comments do not pretend to be exhaustive. Nevertheless, one could sense that this draft represents an important development which seeks to further guarantee the rights of patient in the legal and medical circles. Yet, it would be a serious error simply to concentrate on the question of recognizing voluntary euthanasia as an expression of the right to self-determination of patients who are struggling with his life. There are, in fact, other considerations relating to the respect of the rights of a dying patient which deserve as much, if not more, attention, from the legal and medical professions to ensure that the dying patient would receive the best possible care in a peaceful environment inside or outside the hospital. The main objective of such a method, known as palliative cares, will alleviate the suffering of the dying patient and allow the natural process of life to unfold under the best possible conditions, as much for the patient as for his family and the healthcare system. Therefore, palliative cares not only relieve the pain caused by the disease but also the discomfort and unpleasant environment associated with hospitalization. Another advantage of caring for a dying patient at home is that food and medical care would be adapted to his basic need, thus avoiding unnecessary medical equipment and procedures. Most of all, at a time when the dying patient needs quality attention and care, the close proximity of family members will bring the much-needed moral support. In many countries, the method of palliative cares is gaining popularity and is even legally recognized as an alternative to hospital care. The reasons for legal recognition of such an alternative have to do mainly with the status and rights and duties of the family member who may choose to take a temporary leave from his employer to take care of the dying patient as well as the financial support and benefits that the state would provide in such a case.