President Michele Bachelet, Valentina Maureira (Photo : www.nbcnews.com)
Chile President President Michele Bachelet went to the hospital in Santiago after watching the video of the 14-year old Valentina Maureira who is asking her to be allowed to die. Maureira has been suffering from a long time illness called cystic fibrosis, a hereditary sickness which primarily causes severe lungs and digestive system damage.
In most cases, people who have this disease are able to live their life up to 20 years to 30 years only. However, in recent years, with the help of advance medical knowledge and equipment, patients get to live up to 40 years old. The said illness needs daily care due to recurring infections, tissue damage which results to breathing difficulties, NBC News reported.
Maureira created a video which went viral on social media to ask Chile's President Bachelet to allow her plea to let her die. She is begging for an assisted suicide or euthanasia. The video spread fast on Saturday which caught the attention of Bachelet.
The teenager's sickness was first diagnosed when she was 6 years old. Her elder brother died already from the same illness. Her family has witnessed how the illness could be terminal. Maureira's symptoms include constant headaches and vomiting.
Maureira used her Facebook page to post her video hoping to reach Bachelet, which it did. The lady president went to see the teenager in the hospital on Saturday together with the Minister of Health. The teen-girl's situation was checked by Bachelet, but beforehand, she stated firmly that no euthanasia will happen since the Chilean law does not allow it, according to CNN.
The Chilean Ministry of Health continued to provide psychological and emotional support, as well as medical treatment to improve her living status.
