'Patients have a changing journey of hope throughout their illnesses and their positions on euthanasia will be in a state of flux'

Philip Borg, David Muscat and Doreen Cassar of the Medical Council address MPs

Patients suffering can be cared for through palliative care, and therefore we believe that euthanasia cannot be considered an option, council member David Muscat said. Patients have a changing journey of hope throughout their illnesses and their positions on euthanasia will be in a state of flux. It is the patient who is at his or her most vulnerable, and prudence must be the virtue that guides the doctors actions.

The Medical Council is a legally-instituted body that promotes public health and standards in the medical and dental professions. The Council was invited to address a joint parliamentary committee debating euthanasia, that will now draft a report after hearing several witnesses. At the end of the session, government Whip Godfrey Farrugia and Opposition MP Robert Cutajar both confirmed that their respective parties are fully opposed to euthanasia.

The joint committee wrapped up its debate on euthanasia today

It is scary that there are some youths who already looking at euthanasia as a foregone conclusion, he said, referring to a policy paper on the subject by the law students association. We are in favour of life in all its forms and if we start deciding when people should be killed and when they shouldnt, then we will effectively be sending out a message that medical services are ultimately useless because sooner or later we will all reach that moment.

Fellow council member Doreen Cassar similarly warned that Malta risks going down a slippery slope if it legalises euthanasia, arguing that health professionals in other countries are being encouraged to look at euthanasia in terms of its economic benefit to the national health services.

I want to live, but I respect everyones opinions Bjorn Formosa

The MPs also had a brief telephone conversation with Bjorn Formosa, the 30-year-old ALS sufferer and activist who has frequently expressed his desire to remain alive for as long as possible.

Sometimes the problems are exacerbated because the patients dont have people to look after them, or they lack the necessary health structures or finances to treat their illnesses. For example, ALS patients have to spend over 100,000 a year in treatment, he said.

Godfrey Farrugia questioned whether he believes the state should fork out the costs for ALS treatment, noting that it already pays 300,000 a year to store extremely rare blood types.

I am not privy to the health ministrys budget, but of course it would be ideal and easier if treatment was paid for by the state, Formosa responded.

The Institute of Maltese Journalists also gave a presentation, with its chairman Karl Wright warning that journalists should avoid sensationalising stories related to euthanasia and suicide. TVM broadcaster Norma Saliba said that journalists should strive to educate the public over the facts on euthanasia and seek variousopinions.

The Law Students Association (GHSL) presented a policy paper, outlining its view on how euthanasia should be legalised without coming out in favour or against it. The paper included a survey amongst 313 university students, in which 69% said they agreed with euthanasia.

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Medical Council against euthanasia: 'We don't want youths euthanising their grandparents' - MaltaToday