The People’s Party (PP) has reaffirmed efforts to advance a proposed “dignified death” bill.
Credit to Bangkok Post (https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/3241343/peoples-party-still-chasing-dignified-death-bill)
Photo credit: Image by Parentingupstream from Pixabay
The move follows consultations with the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) aimed at strengthening end-of-life care in Thailand, said Exkkapop Sittiwantana, a party-list MP.
Mr Ekkapop, accompanied by six fellow MPs, on Tuesday met Dr Suthep Petchmak, secretary-general of the NHCO, and senor officials to exchange views on the bill, which include provisions for the right to choose one’s own death. The issue has attracted growing public attention.
Key points emerging from the meeting included board agreement that palliative care should be recognised as a fundamental right for all citizens, While proposals for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) reflect public demand, participants stressed that such measures should only be considered once a robust and accessible palliative care system is in place.
The discussion highlighted the need to integrate palliative care and MAiD in a manner that upholds patient dignity and is grounded in voluntary consent from both patients and health care professionals.
The meeting also emphasized that ongoing debated should lead to tangible improvements in palliative care services, including workforce capacity, service readiness, equitable access and community participation.
Given the sensitivity of MAiD, the meeting underscored the importance of carefully defined criteria and a comprehensive, mu;tidisciplinary approach emcompassing medical, legal and communication considerations, he said.
In parallel, Mr Ekkapop and his colleagues will continue to gather public input and promote awareness of advance healthcare directives under Section 12 of the National Health Act.
The meeting also addressed health policy development in Bangkok. All 50 districts of the capital now have district-level health charters, shaped through public participation, that MPs can use to advance local health agendas alongside community health funds.
Additionally, the 13 health region boards across the country were identified as key mechanisms for promoting health-supportive environments.
