Doctors for Life to appeal suicide ruling

Citizen Reporter

Doctors for Life (DFL) were “disappointed” by a court decision to allow for the assisted suicide of Advocate Robin Stransham-Ford, and intend appealing the decision.

“Firstly, DFL would like to send our condolences to the family and loved ones of Robin Stransham-Ford, who passed away. May he rest in peace,” DFL said in a statement.

On Thursday, Judge Hans Fabricius handed down a groundbreaking ruling in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria by granting Stransham-Ford the right to commit medically assisted suicide. The court also ordered that the doctor who assisted him would not be acting unlawfully and could not be criminally prosecuted or subjected to disciplinary proceedings by the Health Professions Council.

In reaction, DFL said it was considering appealing the judge’s refusal to admit DFL as a party to the proceedings. “People who are terminally ill are at an extremely vulnerable stage of their lives. They often go through periods of deep depression, which is often overlooked, but fully treatable.”

It discouraged organisations from “using people at such vulnerable periods” to gain publicity and to promote “their agenda”. It was not reasonable to introduce “radical legislation on the perceived needs of a minority”, it continued.

“That could end up being lethal for the majority of the population. It is setting a dangerous double standard to say suicide under certain conditions is acceptable, while discouraging suicide as a whole.”

South Africa ranks fi fth in the world amongst countries with the highest suicide rate. “On a national level, the department of health is battling an epidemic of teenage suicide. How are we going to prevent the spread of a suicide contagion and discourage suicide amongst teenagers who feel their lives are unbearable for whatever reasons, while at the same time send out an official message that suicide for some is acceptable.”

Legalised euthanasia also provided a financial incentive for premature deaths, it said. “It will always be cheaper to kill than to provide palliative care over long periods of time. In countries where euthanasia is legal, there have been cases where medical aid schemes have said they cannot cover the costs for breast cancer treatment, but physician-assisted suicide is covered.

DFL discouraged organisations from ‘using people at such vulnerable periods’ to gain publicity and to promote their agenda