Deputy Minister of Health R’ Yaakov Litzman met with Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita to discuss a number of matters being addressed by him in his official government capacity, including the recent changes in the law permitting physicians to declare a person dead based on brain death criteria.

Litzman explained that in cases in which the family objects and insists on the cessation of cardiac activity, the family does have the right to indicate that it does not accept the new ruling, which was accepted towards assisting efforts regarding organ donors. The Rav praised the minister’s efforts, with Litzman pointing out that despite the fact he acted within the framework of the law, informing the Israeli medical community the Health Ministry makes the provision permitting families to object to the new designation. He explained that many members of the medical community, including the Israel Medical Association what they perceived as his “unwanted interference” in medical affairs, but Rav Elyashiv stated his efforts L’shem Shamayim are indeed praiseworthy.

The Rav questioned the outcome of the recent case involving the young girl, Tamar, who doctors in Schneider Children’s Hospital wanted to disconnect from a respirator after she stopped breathing and was declared brain dead. Litzman explained the family objected, explaining they do not accept the new ruling and insist death may only be determined in accordance to the ruling relating to cardiac activity. As a result of his involvement, doctors backed down and the girl lived for almost an additional two weeks.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)