Belgium is the first and only country in the world to grant euthanasia to a minor. A terminally-ill 17-year-old has become the first minor to be euthanized in the country since age restrictions were lifted two years ago, officials say.
The country is the only one that allows children of all ages to choose euthanasia as long as their parents grant consent. However, Netherlands permits minor patients to request doctor-assisted death but only covers those who are 12 years old and above.
According to the federal euthanasia commission, the minor was suffering from unbearable physical pain. Though the condition of the patient was not revealed, Liberal Senator Jean-Jacques De Gucht confirmed that the minor was from Belgium's Flemish region. Further details were kept confidential to protect the privacy of the grieving family.
"Fortunately there are very few children who are considered (for euthanasia) but that does not mean we should refuse them the right to a dignified death," said Professor Wim Distelmans, the head of Belgium's Federal Control and Evaluation Committee on Euthanasia. He added that the first case of assisted suicide of a minor was reported to the agency by a physician last week.
According to the Belgian law on euthanasia, a terminally-ill child will be granted assisted-death if he or she faces "unbearable physical suffering" and utter repeated wishes or requests to die. Apart from this, the procedure will only be carried out after a psychological evaluation of the patient's mental state has been done. Finally, it should be approved by two doctors, including one psychiatrist.
In 2014, the euthanasia law received vast public support when it was introduced. Though it was openly objected by paediatricians and the Roman Catholic clergy, an opinion poll taken a few months before the amendment of the law was voted by the parliament shows that 75 percent of people in Belgium supported it.
After euthanasia was legalized, the number of patients opting for assisted suicide increased to more than eight-fold, with about 2,021 cases reported in 2015.
