Operate without permission?

gzlaser

TO a dangerously ill patient, a close relative's written permission to perform critical operations may mean life or death. However, one man refused to sign his name and saw his pregnant wife die, along with a baby in her womb.

The tragedy happened last Wednesday at a Beijing hospital. Xiao Zhijun, a migrant worker from Hunan Province, ignored doctors' and onlookers' repeated pleas to sign on an operation notice document. His signature would have given the green light to a Cesarean operation. The doctors told him that was the only way to save the lives of his wife and unborn baby.

After hours of desperate pleas by the doctors and stubborn refusal on Xiao's part, Xiao's wife died from heart and lung failure. The hospital had earlier reported the case to the local medical authority. The reply was that the operation could not proceed without Xiao's permission.

Current Chinese laws and regulations governing medical practice stipulate that hospitals must obtain consent from the patient. They must also get a signed agreement from the patient's family members before they can conduct a potentially dangerous procedure. If doctors fail to obtain either, they must submit their treatment plans to the hospital authority and the higher health administration to gain authorization.

In light of this tragedy, do you think this regulation needs to be amended?