Written by Dr Patrick Kee, 18 Nov 2008
Rejected by ST Forum page
Dear Sir,
I refer to the articles, “AMD not euthanasia? Confusing terms, says MPs” and “Prepare for the ’silver tsunami’ now” (Straits Times, 18/11/2008)
First of all, we need to question the need for legislation for patients to refuse futile treatment when they are terminally ill. Surely, a better way is to make it a rule that doctors should not prescribe futile treatments or procedures for the terminally ill. What is needed is not legislation but the education of our doctors and nurses on the principles of effective and compassionate end of life care. Counselling services should also be provided for those who are terminally ill and their families.
Secondly, we need to address the suffering of those who are suffering from debilitating illnesses but not at the end of life and their families. They need support through good and competent hospice care. Such care should be seen as an essential service and should not be dependent on charity. The cost can and should be borne by the government
Our increasingly materialistic society is also in urgent need of spiritual education to understand suffering and to find hope in the midst of tribulation. This is an area which our religious institutions should look into.
Thirdly, we need to recognise the potential and resources of our elderly instead of labelling them as the “silver tsunami”. We need to focus on how we can help our elderly to live up to their lifespan of 90 to 100 years with good physical and mental functions. Towards this end, we should focus on simple and inexpensive ways of being healthy like exercise, eating right, stress management, hobbies and so on.
The world is fast changing and we need creative solutions for the challenges ahead. We must ask the right questions instead of trying to correct the wrong answers of the past.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Patrick Kee