MAiD in SA: What Do Doctors Say?
An encouraging shift
Most doctors are wary about speaking out in support of medical assistance in dying (MAiD). However, we do have data from a survey that the South African Medical Association (SAMA), the professional body for medical doctors, conducted in 2021. With 906 doctors participating, the trend was highly encouraging.
In response to the statement, “I believe that euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide (doctor-administered and self-administered MAiD) should be legalised in South Africa,” 60.1% agreed, 29.7% said no, and 10.2% were unsure. In other words, only about 30% were opposed.
Furthermore, in response to the statement, “A patient should have a choice in deciding to end his or her life,” 70.5% agreed, 21.9% disagreed, and 6.6% indicated that they were undecided.
Another encouraging indicator was a call for ‘Decriminalising and Legalising Medical Assistance in Dying’, co-authored by eight prominent doctors and academics, which was published as an editorial in the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) in February 2024. The authors included:
- Prof. J.P. van Niekerk – Emeritus Professor and former Dean at UCT; Emeritus Editor of the SAMJ
- Prof. Dan Ncayiyana – Emeritus Professor at UCT; Obstetrician and Gynaecologist; Emeritus Editor of the SAMJ
- Dr. E. Hertzog – Anaesthesiologist; Founder and past Chairman of Mediclinic International
- Prof. K. Moodley – Distinguished Professor at the WHO Collaborating Centre of Bioethics, Division of Medical Ethics and Law, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University
- Prof. J. Myers – Emeritus Professor at UCT; former Head of the School of Public Health and Family Medicine
Why are we seeing this shift?
Because doctors are on the front lines of human suffering. They see firsthand the limits of palliative care and understand that prolonging the process of dying is not the same thing as preserving life.
When medical leaders advocate for MAiD, they are advocating for their patients’ right to a peaceful, dignified departure. The consensus is growing, the silence is breaking, and the medical community is standing up for choice.
At DignitySA, we are emboldened by this support. We believe that no doctor should be criminalised for showing ultimate compassion, and no patient should be forced to endure unnecessary suffering.