Motor-neuron disease patient argues for right to die
In spite of a lot of literature being available online about self-administered suicide, Diethelm Harck (71), who suffers from motor-neuron disease, is adamant that when the time comes and he chooses to go this route, he wants a doctor to administer a lethal dose which would kill him.
According to a Pretoria News report, Harck took the stand – virtually from his Western Cape home – for the third day in his application, together with his palliative care physician, Sue Walter, for the law to change which is barring doctors from assisting terminally ill patients to die.
Both he and Walter, who suffers from multiple myeloma, said when the time comes and they feel the need to, they want to opt for euthanasia or the assisted suicide route.
While their legal challenge is due to only be heard later this year in the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg), the pair are now testifying before a commissioner, as they are not sure what the future holds for them.
Counsel for the Health Professions Council of SA (HPSCA), Advocate Adrian D’Óliveira, questioned Harck at length as to why he wanted to go this route.
Harck stressed that while he loved life at this stage and ‘absolutely’ did not want to die now, he feared when the time came when he wanted to die, he could not.
He said it was his human right to decide whether he wanted to die when the time came.
The primary decision should be with the patient, he said.
D’Óliveira also said that the HPCSA will argue that if the court changed the law, it would be open to abuse.
People may feel they have to choose euthanasia, due to family pressures.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
