Euthanasia in Uruguay became the center of debate following the case of Pablo Salgueiro , an ALS patient whose story was the subject of public and parliamentary debate. His family described the illness, the strain of care, and the desire to decide his end clearly and without suffering. The debate progressed amid conflicting views until Parliament approved a law with strict requirements and formal controls.
As a public policy, Euthanasia in Uruguay mandates strict stages and MSP controls.
Pablo lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for three years. His family was already familiar with the condition from a recent history. There was medical care, palliative care, and daily support. Even so, his physical deterioration and the perception of a life lacking quality of life led to a difficult decision. His will then clashed with the current legal framework. That experience became a banner for pushing for regulation.
Florencia Salgueiro 's testimony summarized the thrust of the demand: respect for the autonomy of lucid patients, complete information about alternatives, and a careful procedure, free from improvisation. In parallel, professional organizations and legislators worked on a text that clearly distinguishes euthanasia from other end-of-life practices, such as limiting therapeutic effort.
Euthanasia in Uruguay: legal definition, eligibility, and steps
The law defines euthanasia as a procedure performed by a physician, or on his or her orders, that results in the death of a person who meets the established conditions and who has validly and repeatedly requested it. Access to euthanasia requires that the person be mentally fit, have an incurable or irreversible terminal illness, and be experiencing suffering that is considered unbearable, with a serious and progressive deterioration in their quality of life.
The process begins with a personal written request to a doctor. This is followed by the eligibility check : clinical verification, information on available treatments and palliative care , and verification that the patient's wishes are his or her own. The law requires a second independent opinion . If there is disagreement between professionals, a medical board .
Once these steps have been completed, a second interview to confirm the decision. The person records their final wishes in writing before two witnesses and determines the time and place of the procedure. Revocation is possible at any stage, without additional requirements: simply stating your wishes is sufficient to cancel the process.
After the procedure, the doctor submits the medical history and background information to the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) that proves compliance with the law. The MSP audits the files and, if it detects serious deviations, reports them to the Prosecutor's Office . This subsequent review does not criminalize the practice within the framework, but it discourages shortcuts and ensures standards.
Scope, conscientious objection and palliative care
The law limits access to citizens or residents of Uruguay . It does not allow third-party decisions or advance directives for conditions that prevent consent. Cases without decision-making competence, such as severe dementia . The objective is to preserve real autonomy and avoid widespread interpretations.
Conscientious objection applies to any member of the healthcare team. If someone excuses themselves for personal reasons, the provider must guarantee continuity with substitute professionals. In the event of an institutional objection, the entity must refer or subcontract to ensure access. Thus, the professional's freedom coexists with the patient's rights .
Palliative care takes center stage. The law requires information on its scope and limits. Many people find relief and decide to continue with this strategy. Others find the suffering still intolerable. The regulation does not impose a single approach: it establishes full information, informed consent, and independent clinical verification.
For the Salgueiro family, the approval closed a cycle of complaints and opened a regulated path for those who find themselves in extreme situations and wish to make a decision. The process that followed the regulation included proposals, negotiations, and moments of stalemate. Ultimately, the text advanced with support from various parties, a sign that the discussion transcended political identities.
Implementation now depends on internal protocols , training , and document templates that standardize criteria across providers. The MSP must define review guidelines and publish aggregated statistics that allow for performance evaluation without exposing sensitive data. The traceability of interviews, opinions, and meeting minutes will be the basis for maintaining public trust.
Pablo's case doesn't close the debate, but it does organize the conversation. The law combines autonomy , controls , and state auditing . It seeks informed, verifiable, and reversible decisions up to the last moment . For those suffering from terminal illnesses and finding suffering unbearable, the law offers a clear option within precise limits.
