African physicians reject euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

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Professor Mike Ogirima

t the African Regional Meeting of the World Medical Association meeting on Saturday February 3, 2018 in Abuja Nigeria, physicians agreed to improving palliative care while clearly rejecting euthanasia and assisted suicide.

The report by Felicia Imohimi published by NAN news  stated that Professor Mike Ogirima, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) rejected euthanasia and assisted suicide as contrary to the physician's oath. Imohimi reported Prof Ogirima as stating:

The oath stipulates “I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties even under threat’’,  

Euthanasia is ending the life of another person through various actions which included injecting the person, giving an overdose and withdrawal of food. 

...physician assisted suicide is a practice where doctor provide patients with the knowledge to kill themselves which could be in form of drugs among others.

Professor Ogrima further stated:

“We Africans reject Euthanasia and physician-assisted-suicide. We cannot assist patients, who may wish to end their lives, because the law of the country and WMA ethics of physicians does not permit us to take life.’’

The African physicians understand the issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide in a clear manner. They recognize that to intentionally kill or intentionally assist in a suicide is always wrong.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition promotes caring for people and never killing.