A court of Barcelona has authorized to apply the requested euthanasia by a 54 year old man which was contested by his father. The man has suffered several strokes and heart attacks in recent yearsand the Guarantees and Evaluation Committee authorized a dignified death in July. The father appealed against the euthanasia permit, alleging that his son I was not qualified to make this decisionbut the court says that it is and that the father cannot object. Also, remember that father and son have no relationship and that the patient asked not to communicate the euthanasia to any relative or friend, according to the interview advanced by the SER.
The case dates back to July 18, cWhen the Guarantees and Evaluation Committee (the body of health experts and jurists of the Generalitat in charge of studying euthanasia requests) gave the go-ahead to the dignified death of this 54-year-old man and ordered its application. Francesc had been thinking about the matter for a year when he finally He asked his doctor to start the assisted dying process. The man had suffered three strokes and two heart attacks in 2020, 2021, 2022 (and a fourth stroke in 2024, after stopping the medication). This caused significant consequences that affected his mobility and speech.
According to the medical reports consulted by the SER, the man has aphasia (which makes it difficult for him to speak), can’t write without helpit is difficult for him to follow the thread of long sentences and, although he understands what is said to him, cannot carry on a conversation normally. He also cannot drive or move without the help of a cane. Therefore, despite all the treatments, He told the doctors that “he doesn’t like himself” and that “because of his disability he doesn’t find meaning in life.”. He also explained to the health workers that he is very afraid of suffering and that, “under no circumstances does he want to become more disabled.”
After receiving medical approval for euthanasia, the patient’s father appeared before the contentious court. He alleged that his son suffers from mental health problems and that, although it is true that he feels pain, he believes that with proper treatment and medical guidelines he can endure it. The doctors who evaluated his son, the euthanasia requester, They have ruled out any mental pathology. The judge also rules out that Francesc has any mental health problem.
That’s why, endorses the reactivation of the assisted dying process and orders that the patient be notified of the decision and to the doctor responsible for euthanasia. This does not mean that a dignified death can be administered immediately, since the decision is not yet firm and can be reviewed before the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia within 15 days.
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