Thursday, February 15, 2024

Medical aid in dying, together, in the Netherlands

The Guardian has the story:

Duo euthanasia: former Dutch prime minister dies hand in hand with his wife. Dries and Eugenie van Agt, both 93, died as number of couples in Netherlands choosing joint end to life grows. by Senay Boztas  

"A Catholic former Dutch prime minister, Dries van Agt, has died by euthanasia, hand in hand with his wife Eugenie. They were both 93.

"Their deaths last Monday are seen as part of a growing trend in the Netherlands for “duo euthanasia”.

"Although still rare, euthanasia of couples was first noted in a review of all cases in 2020, when 26 people were granted euthanasia at the same time as their partners. The numbers grew to 32 the following year and 58 in 2022.

...

"Elke Swart, spokesperson for the Expertisecentrum Euthanasie, which grants the euthanasia wish of about 1,000 people a year in the Netherlands, said any couple’s requests for assisted death were tested against strict requirements individually rather than together.

“Interest in this is growing, but it is still rare,” she said. “It is pure chance that two people are suffering unbearably with no prospect of relief at the same time … and that they both wish for euthanasia.”

"Euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal in the Netherlands since 2002 for six conditions, including unbearable suffering, no prospect of relief and a long-held, independent wish for death.

"A second specialist must confirm the wish, and most cases are carried out by the family doctor at home."

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