The Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) no longer advises against stopping eating and drinking as a method of ending life for people under 60. This is stated in a recently updated guideline for doctors and other healthcare providers.
In the previous version of the guidelines from 2014, stopping eating and drinking was discouraged for people under 60 years of age. However, since there have been cases showing that it can be successful for this group, the revised guidelines no longer discourage it. The KNMG does caution that, for this age group, the process may take longer and be more difficult, mainly due to better physical condition and stronger feelings of thirst, making it harder to stop drinking.
Family doctor Eva Bolt, who researched this topic and contributed to the revision, explains: "This change is especially beneficial for young people with severe psychiatric conditions and a desire to die. By removing the age limit, I hope that healthcare providers won't immediately dismiss the idea of consciously stopping eating and drinking during conversations about death. Euthanasia is often not an option for this group for various reasons, and as a result, discussions about death tend to end there. Patients may then feel isolated and start making plans alone. Consciously stopping eating and drinking can be a humane alternative for those with a strong wish to die."
However, Bolt believes this method of ending life will remain rare among younger people, mainly because it can be a challenging process and healthcare providers will still be cautious.
It's estimated that in 0.5 to 1.7 percent of all deaths in the Netherlands, people intentionally stopped eating and drinking to hasten death.
Brochure: Stopping Eating and Drinking (Dutch)
Brochure: Stopping Eating and Drinking (English)
Website:
https://www.knmg.nl/actueel/nieuws/...andreiking-bewust-stoppen-met-eten-en-drinken