http://www.canada.com/cityguides/winnipeg/...dc-bfb7e82d679a


"Winnipeg doctor resigns in battle to end ailing man's life
Jen Skerritt , Canwest News Service
Published: Tuesday, June 03, 2008
WINNIPEG - The doctor who made the decision to pull the plug on an ailing Orthodox Jewish man - only to have the man's family fight that decision in court - has resigned from Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.

Dr. Anand Kumar resigned as a critical care specialist on May 11, saying that providing further care to 84-year-old Samuel Golubchuk is a grotesque "abomination."

Parts of his resignation letter were read aloud by defence lawyers in court Tuesday, in an attempt to persuade the judge to move Golubchuk's trial up by two months.
Defence lawyer Gord McKinnon told the court Golubchuk's condition is beginning to deteriorate, and health officials are concerned that continuing to care for the man could put further stress on hospital staff and prompt more resignations.

"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," said an excerpt from Kumar's resignation letter.

"This is grotesque. To inflict this kind of assault on him without a reasonable hope of benefit is an abomination. I can't do it."

Kumar's letter also said the man's large skin ulcers refuse to heal and no surgeon "in his right mind" would operate on Golubchuk.

Kumar stated what health professionals have been ordered to do to Golubchuk is "tantamount to torture."

The court heard that Golubchuk's kidney and lung function are progressively worsening and he is "barely above a vegetative state." He has also developed ulcers on his skin that are becoming infected.

Golubchuk has been in the intensive care unit in Grace Hospital since last October, when he was admitted suffering from pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension and put on life-support Nov. 3.

When doctors said further treatment of Golubchuk is futile, his family disagreed and sought a court injunction in December to keep him alive.

Golubchuk's children argue pulling the plug on their father's life-support violates their Orthodox Jewish religious beliefs."

I just read about this in the Free Press today. I have to agree with the doctor. Let the man pass with some dignity. If he isn't going to get better just let him go. I know it's easy for me to say but it's probably best for everyone.

On another note, I was born at Grace Hospital!

I agree with Relle. If there is no more that can be done for this poor man, then it's best to let him go...Understanding the family's situation, as they are still able to see him, but I doubt if this is the way he would want to be remembered...

don't let the man suffer for much longer, if the family really loves him.. they would end his suffering and let him go..

Well if the man didn't make any clear wishes about what we would want done in this situation, than I think obviously the choice should go to the next of kin.

I don't think it's the doctors place to tell the family what to do in this situation, however I support his decision to stop treating the patient (in the event of another doctor taking his place) if he feels it goes against his own ethics, forcing the doctor to act against his conscience wouldn't be fair.

The man was 83, apparently his old age is the sole reason for his deterioration in his health so quickly. I don't agree either way, I hate these subjects of euthanasia. but, he wasn't getting any younger.. and more than likely the poor guy would get worse-- and worse each day. The family should recognize the capacity of such suffering on their loved one..imo

This sort of situation is horrible and an example of where I think technology has done us wrong. If he was not on life support, he'd be dead. Life support should be there for cases which can recover. Otherwise, it is nothing but an intervention to prevent "God's time" if one needs to view it as a radical religionist against the concept of euthenasia or suicide or murder, as the case may be viewed.

It should be self-evident, and isn't, apparently .

JMO
NS

It must be a terrible way to live. If someone's suffering, very little chance of recovering, wouldn't the merciful thing be to let him go?

of course its the doctors place to tell the family which action is best to do in the situation.. who else is going to tell them? the family obviously are too bloody selfish to let him go, and just letting him lay there like a peice of meat, rotting away is pretty bloody cruel. pull the plug i say.. let him go. and give the bed and medical treatment to someone more in need.

If they have proof of this, it's already choosen. As a believer he wishes to suffer a horrific and painful death rather then having a more peaceful death. Unless he stated otherwise against his faith.

That poor old man. I cannot imagine being forced to live in such a manner. That would be a far greater torture for me than death. How selfish can a family be? Just let the old guy go in peace.