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Living wills to be made easier

More people to be encouraged to lodge end-of-life medical directive. -ST

Wed, Oct 15, 2008
The Straits Times

By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent & April Chong

FEWER than 10,000 people have signed an Advanced Medical Directive, or what is more commonly known as a living will, though it has been available for 11 years.

It is a 'terrible' figure, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who feels 'we have been too cautious and unduly squeamish' in promoting the concept.

An AMD is a legal document which a person lodges ahead of time to instruct doctors not to take extraordinary measures to prolong one's life if one is terminally ill or unconscious.

 


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