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muriel_volestrangler

(101,166 posts)
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:00 PM Jul 2013

Doctors advised unplugging 'vegetative' Mandela's life support

Source: AFP

Doctors treating Nelson Mandela said he was in a "permanent vegetative state" and advised his family to turn off his life support machine, according to court documents dated June 26, obtained by AFP Thursday.

"He is in a permanent vegetative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine," said a legal filing related to a family dispute over reburying the remains of three of Mandela's children.

"The Mandela family have been advised by the medical practitioners that his life support machine should be switched off.

"Rather than prolonging his suffering, the Mandela family is exploring this option as a very real probability."

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gvM1BBxhXlqqfm40TYnqLM5E730w?docId=CNG.bdaecc6e13e31942ce0802a5f2d89e7a.ad1

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Doctors advised unplugging 'vegetative' Mandela's life support (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 OP
. Cooley Hurd Jul 2013 #1
This kind of information should be kept within the confines of the family. jonthebru Jul 2013 #2
mandela kardonb Jul 2013 #3
It indicates the optimistic things Zuma has said are pretty misleading muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 #4
Assuming it's not made up like the multiple death reports were. (nt) Posteritatis Jul 2013 #19
time to let him pass over... madrchsod Jul 2013 #5
Talk about doctor patient privilege going by the way side. hrmjustin Jul 2013 #6
does South africa sabbat hunter Jul 2013 #7
The laws maybe different but the ethics are not. hrmjustin Jul 2013 #8
Doesn't anyone actually read the OP? merrily Jul 2013 #11
I admit I did not read it fully. hrmjustin Jul 2013 #13
As far as we know from the AP story, no doctor did anything wrong. merrily Jul 2013 #14
AP is quoting a family member's legal papers, not a doctor. merrily Jul 2013 #10
Thanks for clearing that up! hrmjustin Jul 2013 #12
You're welcome. merrily Jul 2013 #15
? What about the story that Mandela flashed a big smile when he heard Obama was in Africa? merrily Jul 2013 #9
They were lying. dipsydoodle Jul 2013 #18
Peace be with you. Iliyah Jul 2013 #16
Doctors deny reports Nelson Mandela is in a 'vegetative state' Tx4obama Jul 2013 #17
Whether or not he is in a 'persistent vegitative state' . . . markpkessinger Jul 2013 #20
Safe passage, Mr Mandela ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jul 2013 #21

jonthebru

(1,034 posts)
2. This kind of information should be kept within the confines of the family.
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:06 PM
Jul 2013

I may be old fashioned, but I don't care who the person is, how prominent or famous; that persons dying conditions are a matter for the family to discuss and carry out.
Why any journalist would think this is news is way beyond my personal or cultural ethics.
So, are we having a poll or vote? Pull the plug.

 

kardonb

(777 posts)
3. mandela
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:10 PM
Jul 2013

let the poor old soul die in peace , and pull the plug . A vegetative state ad infinitum is not "life" .

muriel_volestrangler

(101,166 posts)
4. It indicates the optimistic things Zuma has said are pretty misleading
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:12 PM
Jul 2013

if the doctors' professional opinions are accurate, anyway.

If the family were able to discuss things quietly among themselves, it wouldn't have come out. But they're in the middle of a big battle, with bodies of 3 of his children being dug up from one site and reburied at another.

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
6. Talk about doctor patient privilege going by the way side.
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:45 PM
Jul 2013

This should not have been released without the families OKing it.

I have had to make this choice before and it is very hard. I would let him go in peace.

sabbat hunter

(6,825 posts)
7. does South africa
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:47 PM
Jul 2013

have the same doctor/patient laws regarding privacy that we do?

That being said, I do not know why this is being made public.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
10. AP is quoting a family member's legal papers, not a doctor.
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:53 PM
Jul 2013

The legal papers allege what the doctor said.

As far as we know, no doctor did anything improper.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
9. ? What about the story that Mandela flashed a big smile when he heard Obama was in Africa?
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 01:49 PM
Jul 2013

Either someone was lying or his decline has been very rapid.

Tx4obama

(36,974 posts)
17. Doctors deny reports Nelson Mandela is in a 'vegetative state'
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 04:51 PM
Jul 2013

Breaking @BreakingNews

South Africa Presidency: Doctors deny reports Nelson Mandela is in a 'vegetative state' - @PresidencyZA http://bit.ly/12oY96t

https://twitter.com/BreakingNews/status/352889291078242305



Clarification on the health of former President Mandela

04 July 2013
The Presidency has noted media reports about the condition of former President Nelson Mandela and would like to make a clarification.

Former President Mandela has been and remains under the care of a multi-disciplinary panel of South African medical experts drawn from the South Africa Military Health Services, the public sector, the universities and the private sector. Under this panel a team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals attend to Madiba on a 24 hour basis.


We confirm our earlier statement released this afternoon after President Jacob Zuma visited Madiba in hospital that Madiba remains in a critical, but stable condition. The doctors deny that the former President is in a vegetative state.

http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=15682

markpkessinger

(8,381 posts)
20. Whether or not he is in a 'persistent vegitative state' . . .
Thu Jul 4, 2013, 08:09 PM
Jul 2013

. . . the man is nearly 95 and is on life support, and is highly, highly unlikely to recover. To the Mandela family, stop 'exploring this option' and let the man go to his final rest already.

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