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Sam Golubchuk update...

The death lusting doctor who wasn't allowed his fun in killing Sam Golubchuk continues to stamp his feet in tantrum and to kick his dog, or worse.

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WINNIPEG — The doctor who originally wanted to remove an Orthodox Jewish man from life support last fall has resigned from Winnipeg’s Grace Hospital, saying that “continued support of the patient is tantamount to torture.”

The trial to decide whether the hospital has the right to remove Sam Golubchuk’s life support against his family’s wishes and religious beliefs is set to begin Nov. 24, almost one year after Golubchuk’s family initially obtained an injunction against doctors who wanted to remove the 84-year-old from life support.

In an affidavit, Dr. Anand Kumar said he withdrew his services because it is “in violation of my medical ethics to continue [treating Golubchuk].” He also said he believes that the “services administered in accordance with the [injunction] order are not of any medical benefit,” and in fact cause harm to Golubchuk because they’re uncomfortable and painful.

In his resignation letter, Kumar wrote, “If we honestly attempt to follow the Court mandate to focus on keeping Mr. Golubchuk from his natural death, we will likely have to continue to surgically hack away at his infected flesh at the bedside in order to keep the infection at bay. This is grotesque. To inflict this kind of assault on him without reasonable hope of benefit is an abomination. I can’t do it.”.....................

Doctor quits rather than treat ailing man

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The story continues, recapped in LifeSiteNews...

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WINNIPEG, June 10, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Jocelyn Downie, the Canada Research Chair of Health Law and Policy said at an End-of-Life Ethics & Decision-Making conference at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg yesterday that doctors do not have the legal right to withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment against a patient's wishes.

Downie, who is Canada's foremost player in interpreting health law issues, stated that there is no legal precedent in Canada that gives doctors the authority to remove a feeding tube or issue a do-not-resuscitate order against a patient's wishes.

Downie directly contradicted a notice from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, who asserted in their February 1, 2008 policy statement that a physician could unilaterally decide to remove life-sustaining treatment, including fluids and food, in certain circumstances.

The statement said that even when a patient is likely to regain a level of self-awareness, the physician could still withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment if the doctor obtains agreement from at least one other physician. The doctor also must seek agreement with the family, but if agreement cannot be achieved, the doctor must give a 96-hour notice before removing life-sustaining treatment, including fluids and food.

Downie said that the guidelines need to be revised because they go too far. Doctors can't medically determine whether a life is worth living. "I think it's taking too much authority for physicians and I don't think it's legally acceptable or ethical," stated Downie................

Canadian Doctors Do Not Have the Right to Remove Life-Sustaining Treatment against the Wishes of the Patient

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