The National Assembly approved a law ensuring free palliative care and decision-making rights for terminally ill patients.
In a historic move, the National Assembly has unanimously approved the Organic Law on Palliative Care, granting patients suffering from terminal illnesses the right to comprehensive healthcare access. This legislation empowers individuals to make crucial decisions regarding their medical treatment, specifically allowing them to decide in advance whether or not they wish to be resuscitated.
Expanded Care System
The newly passed law aims to provide adequate care for individuals and their families enduring advanced, progressive, and incurable diseases characterized by multiple, intense, and changing symptoms. It recognizes the right of those with terminal illnesses to receive free access to care designed to alleviate suffering and manage the complex array of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual symptoms associated with their conditions.
During the assembly debate, legislators underscored the existing limitations in care for terminally ill patients. In response, the new law envisions the establishment of a robust palliative care system, which will integrate both public and private health centers. This system will encompass hospital care units, outpatient clinics, and home care services, ensuring a comprehensive approach to palliative care.
To facilitate this ambitious initiative, the law mandates that the national health authority redistribute the budget accordingly, ensuring that the social security institutes for both the Armed Forces and the National Police are included in this obligation.
Focus on Education
In addition to providing patients with the right to forgo resuscitation or avoid unnecessary therapeutic interventions, the regulations address the need for educational advancements in palliative care. Universities across the country are encouraged to develop specialized programs and offer scholarships aimed at training future healthcare professionals in this critical field.
The bill received overwhelming support, passing with 114 votes, and will soon be forwarded to the Executive for approval or veto within a 30-day period.
Humberto Tapia, the legislator who spearheaded this initiative from the ADN party, emphasized that the law is a significant step toward reclaiming the rights to health and life. He stated that it guarantees patients comprehensive access to palliative care services, irrespective of whether they are in the public or private sector. Furthermore, the law ensures that families of patients receive essential support through the effective implementation of a national palliative care system.
Defining palliative care as active, holistic care for individuals of all ages suffering from severe health-related distress due to serious illnesses—especially those nearing the end of life—the new law takes a comprehensive approach to this vital area of healthcare.
To enhance the quality of care, the legislation introduces the Palliative Care Training Subsystem, which will be available to health professionals who hold a fourth-level specialization in palliative care. Additionally, for those with second and third-level qualifications, volunteering in palliative care will be established as a way for these individuals to serve as social agents within the system.
This groundbreaking legislation represents a significant advancement in healthcare for terminally ill patients, prioritizing their dignity and rights while ensuring they receive the necessary support throughout their difficult journeys.
Will this palliative care also apply to gringos that are permanent residence with private health care