Wabudeya deplores calls for mercy killing

BEATRICE Wabudeya, the state minister for health, has criticised medical workers who "pressurise Government to legalise euthanasia," reports Kikonyogo Ngatya. "The work of a doctor is to prolong life. It is unethical, unprofessional and suicidal if a doctor or any health worker brings forth death as a way of helping a patient escape pain," she said on World Diabetes Day. Her comments come in the wake of a debate on whether doctors should be allowed to assist terminally sick people, especially AIDS patients, die to avoid pain. Ends.