Watch: Franco Debono In Favour Of Euthanasia If Proper Safeguards Are In Place
Franco Debono said that Malta should legalise euthanasia if there are the necessary safeguards and if the patient’s consent is truly voluntary.
In an interview with Lovin Malta, Debono – who is considering running for the PN leadership – said that while he hasn’t extensively followed the ongoing national debate, he has a few ideas on the topic.
He said it should boil down to two questions – whether Malta offers the best standard of palliative care and how consent will be granted.
“If someone is suffering and wants to end the pain, what do you do? Tell him to keep on suffering?” he questioned.
“However, the way consent is provided is crucial. We must ensure that if consent is given, it should be truly voluntary.”
“But we’re not going to reinvent the wheel. If someone wants to end their suffering, in certain circumstances that come with sufficient safeguards, I see nothing wrong in it, so long as there is adequate palliative care.”
“The guiding principle should be the safeguarding of life.”
The proposed euthanasia law includes several conditions. People can only request if for themselves if they suffer from a terminal illness that will likely result in their death within six months.
Their request will be assessed by two experts on their condition and a psychiatrist, and must also be green-lit by a second legal-medical board.
The patient will be able to change their mind at any stage of the process.
You can watch the full interview below.
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