Brain death determination
The imperative for policy and legal initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15540886 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Wangari Waweru-Siika (0000-0002-3045-3372, Moi University), Meredith E Clement (0000-0002-0283-6368, Duke University), Lilian Lukoko (Moi University), Simon Nadel (0000-0001-5411-5741, St Mary's Hospital), Philip M Rosoff (Duke University), Violet Naanyu (0000-0003-0182-1719, Moi University), Peter S Kussin (0000-0002-4938-9809, Duke University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2015 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 589-600 |
| Publication date | 2015-11-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17441692.2015.1094108 |
| PMID | 26563398 |
| OpenAlex | W2177825180 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 22 |
The concept of brain death (BD), defined as irreversible loss of function of the brain including the brainstem, is accepted in the medical literature and in legislative policy worldwide. However, in most of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) there are no legal guidelines regarding BD. Hypothetical scenarios based on our collective experience are presented which underscore the consequences of the absence of BD policies in resource-limited countries (RLCs). Barriers to the development of BD laws exist in an RLC such as Kenya. Cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity creates a complex perspective about death challenging the development of uniform guidelines for BD. The history of the medical legal process in the USA provides a potential way forward. Uniform guidelines for legislation at the state level included special consideration for ethnic or religious preferences in specific states. In SSA, medical and social consensus on the definition of BD is a prerequisite for the development BD legislation. Legislative policy will (1) limit prolonged and futile interventions; (2) mitigate the suffering of families; (3) standardise clinical practice; and (4) facilitate better allocation of scarce critical care resources in RLCs. There is a clear-cut need for these policies, and previous successful policies can serve to guide these efforts
Development economics · Diversity (politics · Economic growth · Economics · Ethnic group · Legislation · Legislature · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Organ Donation and Transplantation · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |