Italian cabinet intervenes to save comatose patient from starvation

February 06, 2009

The Italian cabinet on February 6 unanimously approved an emergency decree prohibiting health-care institutions from removing food and water from needy patients. The emergency decree would remain in force for 60 days, allowing time for parliament to debate a proposal that would make the measure permanent. The cabinet decision would save the life of Eluana Englaro, the comatose patient at the center of a controversial "right to die" case. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had backed the decree, saying, "We can't allow responsibility for Eluana's death to fall on us." However, the decree does not take effect until signed by President Giorgio Napolitano, who has said he opposes the measure because it contradicts the ruling of an Italian court.

"Right-to-die" advocates in Italy complained that the government had been unduly influenced by the Catholic Church, and the daily newspaper La Stampa reported that Berlusconi took action after receiving a personal phone call from the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The Vatican press office issued an emphatic statement to "categorically deny" that report.

The cabinet decision came after Eluana Englaro, who has been in a coma for 17 years, was moved to a hospital in Udine, where officials had already removed her feeding tube. Without government action she would have been expected to die within two days. Archbishop Pietro Brollo of Udine had greeted her arrival by saying that society has a duty to help her live. Hundreds of pro-life activists had demonstrated around the hospital calling for the institution to continue feeding the young woman.

 

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Further information:

• Cabinet OKs emergency Eluana decree (ANSA)
• Bertone-Berlusconi telephone conversation denied (VIS)
• Society has duty to help Eluana live, says Archbishop of Udine (CNA)