ASSISTED DYING

Can DignitySA help me to die?

No, as in South Africa  medically assisted dying is currently illegal. As an advocacy organization, Dignity South Africa is working to promote legal reform for dignified end-of-life choices but we are unable to provide direct assistance or advice on pursuing an assisted death.

The current options for South Africans are:

  • Palliative Care: Palliative care can provide comfort and improve quality of life for those with serious illnesses. It is a holistic form of care that should ideally be accessed from the point of diagnosis with a life-threatening illness and can offer significant benefits whilst curative treatments are being pursued. DignitySA is committed to campaigning for access to palliative care and you can read more about this under our Focus Areas (3.1). 

  • Withholding or Withdrawing Treatment: You have the right to discuss refusing or discontinuing medical treatment with your healthcare provider. Please let us know if you would like more information about this. For more information about this visit our Focus Areas (3.2).

  • Advance Directives: We recommend that you ensure that you have a section 7 mandate in place that that you have documented what your preferences for future medical care are.  For a template and guidelines to complete your advance directive, please click here (3.3.4)

  • Mental Health Support: If you are feeling overwhelmed or depressed, we strongly encourage reaching out to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) at 0800 567 567 (24-hour helpline) or via SMS at 31393.

  • Travelling to Switzerland: Dignitas in Zurich and Pegasos in Basel are two non-profit organisations that provide medically-assisted self-administered death or dying to foreigners. This is a very costly route that can only be undertaken by those who are well enough to, and can afford, to fly and this is another reason why DignitySA is campaigning for the legalisation of medically assisted dying.

We encourage you to speak with your doctor, a palliative care specialist, or a counselor to explore these options further. Dignity South Africa is committed to advocating for legal changes to allow greater choice in end-of-life decisions, and we hope our efforts will bring about compassionate options in the future. Please feel free to contact us (9) if you have further questions about palliative care, advance directives, or our advocacy work. To join our organisation free of charge and receive updates on our progress please consider becoming a member of DignitySA  (it’s free)