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Euthanasia

Euthanasia means a doctor deliberately ending a patient's life at that patient's explicit request. Curaçao has no statutory euthanasia procedure comparable to that in the Netherlands: ending life on request and assisting suicide are criminal offences under the published Curaçao Criminal Code. Always discuss a wish to die carefully with your GP (family doctor) and ask about palliative care.

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  • Euthanasia is a specific medical and legal act: a doctor deliberately ends a patient's life at the patient's explicit request. A wish to stop treatment or die naturally is not always a request for euthanasia.
  • Curaçao has its own legal system and no statutory euthanasia procedure comparable to that in the Netherlands. The published Articles 2:267 and 2:268 make ending life on request and assisting suicide criminal offences.
  • Questions about the end of life need careful, unhurried exploration. Important considerations include the meaning of the request, capacity to make the decision, whether it is voluntary, the medical condition, treatable causes of suffering and available palliative care.
  • Palliative care focuses on quality of life and relief of physical, psychological, social and spiritual suffering. It can start early, alongside treatment for the illness.
  • An acute suicidal crisis is an emergency, not an administrative request for euthanasia. For immediate danger to life, call Ambulance 912; outside office hours, the out-of-hours GP service (HAP) is available on 9252 for urgent GP care.

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Further reading

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Care and treatment preferencesThinking about future care preferences helps record what matters to you if you later cannot speak or decide for yourself. Discuss values, treatment limits and a representative with your doctor and loved ones, record agreements clearly and have them checked against the rules and care practices of Curaçao.
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End of lifeEnd of life care focuses on comfort, calm, dignity and clear arrangements. Advance care planning helps you discuss treatment wishes, where care will be provided and contact people in good time. Palliative care does not mean giving up: it focuses on quality of life and symptom relief. Check local laws and procedures on Curaçao separately; do not automatically assume Dutch rules on euthanasia or end of life decisions apply. When dying is expected, follow the existing care plan and treating team's guidance; 912 is only for unexpected, immediate threats to life.
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Suicidal thoughtsSuicidal thoughts can arise when pain, despair or problems seem unbearable. You do not have to carry this alone: tell someone you trust today and seek professional help. For immediate danger, call Ambulance 912; for urgent family-doctor care outside office hours, call HAP 9252.