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- The call comes in connection with the case of Mr. Ovidio Gonzalez, who was summoned last Friday for the conduct of an early death procedure but it was canceled minutes before application.

Bogota (DC), June 30, 2015. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection would clarify that application of the procedure of early death, under Judgment T-970 of 2014 of the Constitutional Court, is properly regulated in the country by Resolution 1216 of April 20, 2015, and provides for implementation of a detailed process that must be met by those who are obliged to participate in it.

Following the case of Mr. Ovidio Gonzalez, who is registered with the health promoting organization (EPS) SOS and was cared for by a health care provider (IPS) in the city of Pereira, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection reports the following:​​​

1. Solidarity with Mr. Gonzalez and his family for the situation last June 26, when they were summoned in advance, in the afternoon, for the application of the procedure of early death, without apparently having met all the prerequisites to accomplish the procedure.
   
   
2. In any medical procedure, and particularly in this on early death, they should be accompanied by the EPS, the IPS and professionals, who must act with a high sense of humanity.
   
   
3. The procedures set out in Resolution 1216 of 2015 must be performed with the rigor established by the regulations, with maximum care, prudence, humanitarian sense and providing timely communication, to not make the situation even more painful for the patient and family.
   
   
4. In this particular case apparently there was a discrepancy between the opinion of the treating physician and the medical member of the interdisciplinary Scientific Committee for the right to die with dignity, a situation that must have been resolved timely, before scheduling the procedure and summoning the patient and his family.
   
   
5. The protocol established by the Ministry is sufficiently detailed, clear and in line with the guidelines determined by the Constitutional Court.
   
   
6. The Ministry calls on the IPSs that are empowered to apply the procedure of early death, to report adequately and in a timely manner about therapeutic alternatives commensurate with the stage of development of the patient's disease, including palliative care. If the patient's request persists, the IPS must follow all the steps referred to in Resolution 1216 of 2015.
   
   
7. In this case, the Ministry urges the healthcare provider and the EPS where the patient is registered to define the situation and act accordingly.
   
   
8. The National Health Superintendence today sent a delegation to the scene to see if there was any flaw in the proceedings and apply appropriate measures within its competence as an inspection, monitoring and control body of the health system.