In February this year, 66-year-old Peruvian Maria Teresa Benito Orihuela, who suffers from advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and depends on an external respirator, obtained a court sentence to have a “dignified death”. However, 12 doctors at the Edgardo Rebagliati Hospital in Lima have refused to turn off the devices citing Religious Freedom Law and conscientious objection. The Peruvian court has ruled that EsSalud, Peru’s public health insurer, has just over a week to find a doctor who is willing to disconnect the equipment.
Orihuela’s lawyers sued the Peruvian court again to “force” compliance with the first decision. The Superior Court of Justice of Lima ruled that EsSalud has until May 7 to present a doctor who agrees to turn off the devices. The woman’s case follows the same pattern as that of Ana Estrada, who died on April 21st in similar circumstances. Estrada also suffered from a degenerative disease and fought a legal battle in Peru to end her own life. Her case was considered the first of legal euthanasia in Peru.
The decisions in Estrada’s case have been controversial, with concerns raised by various groups about their implications for medical ethics and human rights. The Peruvian Episcopal Conference expressed its opposition to euthanasia as it goes against the Catholic Church’s teachings about respect for life. Meanwhile, other Latin American countries like Ecuador and Cuba have also made advancements in legalizing euthanasia under certain circumstances. Colombia has allowed assisted suicide on terminally ill patients since 1997 but only recently regulated it in 2015 through law number 203538 which guarantees patients autonomy in their end-of-life decisions while ensuring that healthcare providers uphold ethical standards.