Chula’s bid to help ensure death with dignity for all a noble effort

This article was timely. Educating more people, not just in Thailand but everywhere, about the ethical and economic “benefits” of palliative care should be a priority.
Prolonging the life of terminally ill people robs them of their dignity and affects not just their quality of life but also that of their loved ones. 
The Hippocratic Oath aside, doctors are trained to save lives and so are ill equipped to “help people die”. In an era of corporatised healthcare, there is also the compelling profit motive to prolong a life if the patient comes from a wealthy background. For families that cannot afford it, long and futile treatment often results in debt after death.  
To change our thinking on how to handle end-of-life situations, we need to change our thinking on health. Perfect health at any age is almost impossible. Most people have something wrong with them. Often, treating something minor can lead to other complications, since all medications have side effects.
Wellbeing and quality of life should not mean the absence of illness, but rather the ability to lead a full and happy life.
Finally, as the Chulalongkorn project tries to highlight palliative care, it should also consider propagating the merits of organ donation. Life does not have to end with death.
Percy Aaron                                                                                  
Vientiane College, Laos