Euthanasia cases on the rise in Belgium

According to a report by the Federal Monitoring and Evaluation commission, the number of annual notifications  of euthanasia in Belgium has nearly doubled since 2010.

There were 1,807 cases of euthanasia reported in 2013, 375 more than the year before and almost double the 953 cases reported in 2010. The commission explains this evolution through the increasing distribution of information on decision-taking in the last phase of life among both the general public and doctors.

There were no euthanasia cases reported for patients below the age of 30 years in 2012 and 2013. In 65% of cases, the patient was between 40 and 79 years old. Another one-third were 80 years or older. Seventy-three percent of patients opting for euthanasia were diagnosed with cancer.

The commission is now asking for increased investments to be able to deal with the number of demands. Electronic forms, for instance, should be introduced, said the commission, to avoid inaccuracies made when doctors and patients fill in forms.