March 20, 2008 05:28 PM

Stop Removal of Sam Golubchuk's Life Support

Sam Golubchuk is an 84 year old resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. Four years ago he became disabled after a fall. Since then he's been confined to a wheelchair and has difficulty communicating. In spite of his impairments, Sam has led an active life under the loving support of his family, friends and staff where he lives.

In October of last year, Sam contracted pneumonia but overcame the illness through treatment at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. Due to his weakened condition, Sam was not able to return to his home. He is being fed intravenously and getting periodic breathing help via a respirator.

In November, doctors at Grace Hospital decided that they shouldn't have to continue treating Sam, citing as their reasons, his age, his diminished capacity, and the need for the bed and other resources that he is using.

Sam's children refused to give consent to any stoppage of treatment. In the Province of Manitoba, however, the governing policy gives the doctors the last word in matters of life and death. In this case the doctors chose to ignore the wishes and instructions of Sam's family and withdrew treatment. Since the treatment essentially is the provision of food, and occasional help with breathing, this would cause starvation and possibly asphyxiation.

On November 30, Sam's family sought and obtained a temporary court order prohibiting the hospital from stopping Sam's treatment. The hospital is fighting to get the court order overturned, at taxpayer expense, while Sam's family continues to run up expensive legal fees.

The irony surrounding all of this is the fact that Grace Hospital is operated by the Salvation Army.