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Wellness
OpinionComment
Joyce Liu
Paul Yip
Joyce LiuandPaul Yip

Opinion | More empathy, understanding needed before euthanasia conversation can start in Hong Kong

  • Patients in need should be informed of all the options they have and get access to professional advice and appropriate services before ending their lives
  • Seeking to end their life without thorough consideration and adequate support is not really a choice but a compromise

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An elderly person taking a walk in Sai Kung on September 4. Photo: Dickson Lee
Joyce LiuandPaul Yip
A recent court case of a man killing his terminally ill wife has brought our attention to the debate around euthanasia again. Undoubtedly, no one would want to see such disheartening tragedy happen again. The question is whether euthanasia is really the only way out for these families with seemingly unsolvable suffering. Are there any better options to alleviate their pain?
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Many people who support legalising euthanasia, or doctor-assisted suicide, would argue that severely ill patients should have the autonomy to determine their own death. Especially for those suffering from intolerable chronic pain or losing the ability to care for themselves, euthanasia could bring relief and allow them to die with dignity.
Before looking into the possibility of legalising euthanasia, we should try to understand why a person might want to end their life. Most of those who seek death tend to be elderly, whose suicide rate has been the highest among all age groups, with physical health being a major concern.

However, many elderly people have at least one chronic illness. Hence, the presence of physical illness does not necessarily lead to a wish to die.

From some suicide notes, we see not only a person’s suffering and despair but also their fear and worries arising from uncertainty. Fear of progression of diseases could come along with the diagnosis of a terminal illness.

02:05

Long Covid-19 patients struggle with suicide risk more than 2 years into the pandemic

Long Covid-19 patients struggle with suicide risk more than 2 years into the pandemic

The patient might also worry about becoming a burden to their family over the potential medical costs, creating trouble for the family members who provide the support and mourning the loss of being able to take care of themselves. In some cases, family members might also feel some guilt from missing the opportunity to care for them.

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