Euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve his suffering. This procedure itself still raises the pros and cons in various countries. So, what exactly is euthanasia and how is it implemented in Indonesia?
Euthanasia can be carried out in certain cases, for example in patients with terminal diseases that cannot be cured or in patients who feel pain and their medical conditions can no longer be treated. Requests for euthanasia can be made by the patient himself or the patient's family.
Euthanasia is an ethically complicated and complex procedure. On the one hand, this action ends the suffering of the patient. However, on the other hand, euthanasia also results in the death of the patient.
In addition to the medical code of ethics, there are many aspects that are considered in euthanasia, ranging from the patient's mental or psychological condition, the beliefs held by patients and doctors, to the laws that apply in each country.
Types of Euthanasia
Euthanasia can be done in various ways. The following are some types of euthanasia:
Voluntary euthanasia
Voluntary euthanasia is a type of euthanasia requested by a patient with full awareness and a healthy mental condition. This action can be done with the aim of ending the patient's suffering from an incurable disease or disease symptom, for example in the case of terminal cancer.
There are several countries outside Indonesia that allow patients to make a statement or informed consent who stated that he was willing to undergo euthanasia. However, the patient must undergo a first examination by a doctor and psychologist.
After the request for euthanasia is approved, the doctor can perform active euthanasia measures, for example by giving high doses of sedatives and pain relievers, to end the patient's life and free the patient from the suffering they are experiencing.
Involuntary Euthanasia
In this type of euthanasia, the decision to end life is not made by the patient, but the patient's parents, husband, wife, or children. Involuntary euthanasia is generally performed when the patient is unconscious or in a vegetative state or in a coma.
Passive euthanasia
Passive euthanasia is a type of euthanasia that is carried out by doctors by reducing or limiting medication that supports the patient's life so that the patient can die faster.
For example, by stopping the use of ventilators in patients with respiratory failure or coma with severe and permanent brain damage. This type of euthanasia is usually performed on patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe, incurable conditions, such as brain herniation.
Assisted suicide or physician-assisted suicide (PAS)
Physician-assisted suicide This is done if the doctor knowingly ends the life of a patient who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and feels a lot of pain. The doctor will determine the most effective and painless PAS method, for example by administering high doses of opioid drugs.
Euthanasia in Indonesia
In some countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, and Colombia, euthanasia is legal. While in Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and some states in the United States only allow the PAS method.
In Indonesia, euthanasia is still classified as illegal or should not be done. The prohibition on euthanasia in Indonesia is indirectly stated in the Criminal Code (KUHP) Article 344.
The article reads, "Anyone who robs another person's life at the request of the person himself which is clearly stated with sincerity is threatened with a maximum imprisonment of 12 years."
Meanwhile, from a medical perspective, the involvement of doctors in euthanasia is regulated in Article 11 of the Indonesian Medical Ethics Code (KODEKI) concerning life protection.
In the article it is stated that a doctor is prohibited from being involved, prohibited from being involved, or not allowed to end the life of someone who according to science and knowledge is impossible to recover, which in other words is euthanasia.
Therefore, if you or your family suffer from physical or mental illness to the point that you intend to end your life, consult a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist to get other appropriate solutions.