A Peruvian woman, Ana Estrada, has made history by becoming the first person in the country to die by euthanasia. Estrada, 47, had been battling a chronic and degenerative disease called polymyositis, which left her bedridden and in need of round-the-clock care.
Despite euthanasia being prohibited in Peru, a Peruvian court ruled in February 2021 that health authorities must respect Estrada's decision to end her life through the medical procedure of euthanasia. This landmark decision marked the first time in the country's history that an individual's right to choose their own death was recognized and authorized by the justice system.
Her lawyer, Walter Gutierrez, described the ruling as historic, emphasizing that Estrada was content with the outcome. Estrada, a psychologist by profession, expressed her desire to exercise her right to choose when, how, and where to die, given the limitations imposed by her condition.
Living with the disease had rendered Estrada unable to speak, reliant on a ventilator, and in constant need of nursing care. Despite her love for life, she sought the freedom to end her suffering on her own terms.
After a legal battle spanning four years, initially fought independently and later with the assistance of the Ombudsman's Office, Estrada's wish was finally granted. Health authorities did not appeal the court's decision, which was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court in July 2022.
Estrada's family released a statement expressing that she had passed away according to her own idea of dignity and autonomy, marking the end of a journey that will be remembered as a significant moment in the history of Peru. Her legacy, as a trailblazer for the right to die with dignity, will endure in the hearts and minds of many.
