A resident doctor from Ukraine, Andria K., who was accused of killing a patient in January of that year, returns to work at the Provincial infirmary in Gorzów Wielkopolski. A 27-year-old doctor detached an 86-year-old patient from life support without a consensus.
On January 9, this year, 86-year-old patient went to the Provincial infirmary in Gorzów Wielkopolski in a very severe state of health. The man underwent surgery to remove the tiny intestine due to an arterial embolism. After the surgery, the patient's heart stopped. Andrii K., specializing in anesthesiology and working in the infirmary for 2 years, declared the patient dead and made a stand-alone decision to separate him from life support. According to the procedures in force, specified a decision should be taken by the medical consortium, which has not occurred in this case.
Investigations and reactions of the medical community
Upon disclosure, the prosecution charged the doctor with manslaughter, and Andria K. was arrested. The infirmary committee conducted an interior investigation which showed that although the doctor failed to complete the required formalities, his decision was made in good religion and could be medically justified due to the patient's condition.
The medical community has shared in the resident's proceedings. According to any sources, about 2,000 Polish doctors expressed their support for Andria K., highlighting hard working conditions and the request for fast decisions in critical situations. Others, however, point to the request for strict adherence to procedures, especially in life and death matters.
Tracking the road to the applicable legalisation of euthanasia
TVN has expressed compassion for a young doctor, suggesting that he was in a hard situation, causing outrage. Critics accuse the station of trying to justify the actions that led to the patient's death.
Gruby scandal. The Ukrainian doctor at the infirmary in Gorzów Wielkopolski decided to separate the patient from life support! Now he's going back to work at the hospital.
— Marek Tucholski 🇵🇱 (@tucholski_marek) August 26, 2024
TVN feels sorry for the killer and Minister Bodnar paves the way for applicable legalization of euthanasia in Poland and... pic.twitter.com/ADX86oq5JU
The Minister of Justice, Adam Bodnar, referred to the request for precise regulation of issues concerning the decision to end life-support therapy, stressing the importance of protecting patients' rights and the request for clear and unambiguous procedures in this regard.
The decision to reconstruct to work the doctor accused of voluntary separation of the patient from life support devices paves the way for applicable legalization of euthanasia in Poland. The current guidelines are clear: patients should be treated, not killed. The Hippocratic oath obliges doctors to defend life, not to kill it. The question is whether, alternatively than introducing fresh regulations, we should alternatively not strive for strict compliance with existing rules that already defend patients?
jb
