Ethiopian Parliament Receives Bill Allowing the Termination of Life for Patients Beyond Medical Help
A new bill has been submitted to the Ethiopian House of Representatives that would allow for the termination of life in cases where a patient cannot be saved. Known as the “Health Service Management Decree,” this legislation was drafted by the Ministry of Health and presented to parliament last week.
The bill proposes several health-related reforms, including the regulation of technology-assisted medical care for couples unable to conceive naturally.
Notably, it also addresses the highly sensitive issue of terminating life for patients reliant on medical devices, such as ventilators, when there is no chance of recovery.
The proposed law outlines that life-support systems may be discontinued in cases where a patient’s cardiorespiratory system has irreversibly ceased functioning or where brain death has been confirmed.
The stated purpose of this measure is to safeguard the health of the population, which is seen as a key driver of the country’s development, and to improve the overall quality of life in society.
The bill is intended to bring Ethiopia’s medical practices in line with global standards by addressing ethical dilemmas around end-of-life care.
The Ministry of Health is expected to issue detailed guidelines on the implementation of the law, which aims to provide relief for terminally ill patients suffering from incurable conditions—a first in the country’s history.
If passed, this would be the first law of its kind in Africa, reflecting legal frameworks already in place in many Western countries, where similar provisions have been in effect for years.
Ethiopia’s step toward legalizing the termination of life in cases of irreversible medical conditions could potentially set a precedent for other African nations in the future.
In addition to addressing end-of-life care, the “Health Service Management and Control Bill” submitted last week also includes provisions allowing for sperm donation, marking a significant shift in Ethiopia’s approach to reproductive health.
The twelve-part bill covers a wide array of health services, including general healthcare delivery, special health services, human resource development in the health sector, and the regulation of health professionals.
One of the standout sections of the decree deals with technology-assisted reproductive medicine.
This clause would allow licensed health facilities to offer reproductive medical services, including sperm donation, which was previously not permitted by law. The draft provides a detailed procedure for sperm donation and its legal framework.
While the current bill is moving forward, other crucial health issues remain unresolved. The Kidney Patients’ Association has expressed frustration over the long-delayed passage of a separate law that would allow for the donation of kidneys from deceased individuals.
This draft law was first proposed six years ago, but no action has been taken to amend existing Ethiopian health laws that currently restrict kidney donations to within the immediate family.
According to Solomon Asefa, General Manager of the Kidney Patients’ Association, the law on kidney donation has yet to be presented to the House of Representatives, despite its urgency.
He emphasized that the current regulations, which prevent donations from outside the family, are a major hurdle for patients in need of kidney transplants.
