ADPD-The Green Party jilqa’ b’sodisfazzjon l-introduzzjoni ta’ leġiżlazzjoni dwar it-Testment Bijoloġiku (Living Will), pass importanti lejn it-tisħiħ tal-awtonomija tal-pazjenti u r-rispett lejn id-dinjità tagħhom fid-deċiżjonijiet relatati mal-kura tas-saħħa. It-Testment Bijoloġiku jippermetti lill-individwi jesprimu b’mod ċar ix-xewqat tagħhom dwar trattament mediku f’sitwazzjonijiet fejn ma jkunux aktar jistgħu jikkomunikaw sew id-deċiżjonijiet tagħhom.
Sandra Gauci, Chairperson tal-partit qalet:”Għal bosta snin, ADPD-The Green Party insista favur tali leġiżlazzjoni. Fil-fatt, ADPD-The Green Party kien l-uniku partit politiku f’Malta li inkluda l-introduzzjoni tat-Testment Bijoloġiku fil-manifesti elettorali tiegħu. Din il-proposta tirrifletti l-impenn fit-tul tagħna favur id-dinjità tal-persuna, u kura tas-saħħa etika ibbażata fuq il-kunsens infurmat.”
L-inizjattiva attwali tikkonferma li ideat u l-prinċipji li ADPD-The Green Party ilu jisħaq fuqhom bdew jiġu rikonoxxuti aktar. Aħna nemmnu li l-individwi għandhom ikollhom id-dritt jiddeċiedu minn qabel x’tip ta’ trattament mediku jixtiequ, jew ma jixtiqux, jirċievu f’ċirkostanzi ta’ inkapaċità. Dan għandu jinkludi l-possibilità tar-rifjut ta’ akkaniment terapewtiku, u li l-persuna tkun tista’ tagħmel għażliet dwar sedazzjoni u l-immaniġjar tal-uġigħ.
Ninnotaw wkoll it-ton kostruttiv fid-dibattitu pubbliku dwar din il-kwistjoni. Nilqgħu l-istqarrija tal-Arċisqof Charles Scicluna, li laqa’ b’mod pożittiv din il-leġiżlazzjoni. Dan juri li djalogu b’rispett bejn is-soċjetà ċivili, il-professjoni medika, l-awtoritajiet u l-pubbliku huwa possibbli u meħtieġ.
ADPD-The Green Party se teżamina fid-dettall il-leġiżlazzjoni proposta u jibqa’ jinsisti għal qafas legali li jirrispetta b’mod sħiħ id-dinjità umana, id-drittijiet tal-pazjenti u prattika medika etika.
The Living Will, an important and overdue step towards human dignity
ADPD-The Green Party welcomes the introduction of legislation introducing the Living Will, an important step towards strengthening patient autonomy and dignity in healthcare decisions. A Living Will enables individuals to clearly express their wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where they may no longer be able to communicate their decisions.
Sandra Gauci, party Chairperson said:”For many years, ADPD-The Green Party has consistently advocated for such legislation. In fact, ADPD-The Green Party has been the only political party in Malta to include the introduction of Living Will legislation in its electoral manifestos. This proposal reflects ADPD’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding personal dignity, ethical healthcare, and informed consent.
The current initiative demonstrates that this is another case where ideas long championed by ADPD-The Green Party are gradually gaining wider recognition. We believe that any person should have the right to decide in advance the type of medical treatment they desire or refute to receive in circumstances of serious illness or incapacity. This should include the refusal of aggressive treatment, and the choice of sedation and pain management plans.
We also note the constructive tone adopted in the public discussion on this matter. We welcome the statement by Archbishop Charles Scicluna. This shows that respectful dialogue between civil society, the medical profession, authorities and the public is both possible and necessary.
ADPD-The Green Party will examine the proposed legislation in detail and will continue advocating for a framework that fully respects human dignity, patient rights, and ethical medical practice.
