The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) said the choice to end a person’s life through the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program has an “in-depth assessment process” and considers “alternate supports.”.“Eligibility for MAID includes an in-depth assessment process that considers, amongst other things, consideration of alternate supports that may be available and of benefit to the patient,” said the WRHA spokesperson to the Western Standard.. Sathya Kovac .On October 3, Sathya Kovac ended her life through the MAID program after being unable to receive the support she needed to continue living in her home..Kovac spent the last 15 years of her life fighting ALS, but could not get more than 55 hours of home care per week..She wrote in her obituary that “ultimately, it was not a genetic disease which took me out, it was a system.”.READ MORE Manitoba woman chooses assisted suicide, claiming lack of healthcare.In Manitoba, those who need care can receive up to 55 hours per week before having to pay with their own money..In some circumstances, funding above 55 hours per week is available, according to the WRHA..“As with regular home care, the maximum number of hours Self and Family Managed Care clients can receive funding for is 55 hours/week,” said the WRHA spokesperson.. Hospital patient .“However, if a client's needs have been assessed to require more than 55 hours of home care per week, additional funding would be available for a period of time as part of bridging to an alternate care setting, in the case of ALS, this could be a group/congregate setting or a personal care home.”.The WRHA said it cannot comment on Kovac’s specific case, but the decision to use the MAID program is a “deeply personal one.”.“While we are unable to speak to specific circumstances related to an individual’s health condition and/or services, we would like to offer our condolences [to] the family and friends of Ms. Kovac,” said the WRHA spokesperson..“The decision to apply for and proceed with Medical Assistance in Dying is a deeply personal one, available only to patients who meet the defined requirements of the MAID service and its governing legislation.”.The WRHA said that Kovac met the requirements..“We can confirm that all requirements and processes related to MAID application and eligibility were adhered to in this case.”. WRHA Quick Links .“Eligible MAID recipients must have a serious and incurable disease, illness or disability, an advanced state of decline that is irreversible and that is causing intolerable suffering,” said the WRHA spokesperson..MAID is supposed to be used in extremely rare cases, but the WRHA website lists MAID as the number one link under its “Quick Links” on their homepage..The WRHA did not respond to questions about the promotion of MAID on its homepage..Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon did not respond to questions about the MAID program or Kovac’s specific case..Manitoba is not the only province making it easy to find out about the MAID programs..The Saskatchewan government had it on its 811 healthcare help line before removing it under public pressure..READ MORE Government-assisted suicide removed from Sask’s 811 healthcare help line
