Religious Beliefs In Healthcare

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Healthcare Assignment

Religious beliefs can at times act like a barrier to giving a patient medical treatment. In a developing country like Pakistan we see individuals refusing to get vaccinated for Polio because they feel it is not in the realm set by their religion. For the matter of this case, the patient is a Jehovah Witness and was, against her will, transfused with blood. The doctors felt that this was necessary and in her best interest. The girl, however, faces the trauma of being forced to take a medical course of action that she strongly believes against.
In this case there are six major parties involved: the girl, the doctors, child protective services, her parents, the government and the judiciary. Canadian laws give an individual the right to freedom under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This also includes choosing their own course of medical treatment. Canadian laws also laws in place ensuring the safety of a minor, one of which is the Child and Family Services Act. …show more content…

Her argument is based on the fact that her religious beliefs should have been respected and another course of medical action should have been taken. We should also take into account the doctor who made the decision. I believe that doctors should have the right to decide a treatment strategy that they feel is best suited for a patient. If doctors are pressurized, we ourselves put the patient at risk. In this case the patient in question was a minor and not deemed mature enough to make the decision. The doctor too has taken an oath to do all they can to help the

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