There is a need for a broader debate in the Romanian society on the treatment of terminally ill patients, the minister of Health, Alexandru Rafila, said on Monday, when he left the gov’t’s venue, after the discussions with prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, when asked about a possible modification of the ICU protocols following the scandal triggered at the Sfantul Pantelimon Emergency Clinical Hospital in Bucharest.

„It is a broader discussion that needs to be made in the Romanian society, and it refers to the way of treating terminally ill patients. It cannot be done only through an administrative decision, there must be a broad discussion, with professional societies, with patient organizations, and this can be done very well with the support of these international societies (the European Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care and the World Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, editor’s note),” Alexandru Rafila said.

Asked if the option of interrupting medical treatment in the case of a terminally ill patient would be reached, as is practiced in other states, the minister said that he does not want to speculate.

„I wouldn’t want us to speculate at all. These guides and protocols of good practice must be subject to public debate, and acceptance by society is essential,” Rafila added.

AGERPRES