London Hospital issues statement about baby Joseph
Posted February 28, 2011 9:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LONDON, Ont. – The Ontario hospital at the centre of controversy surrounding baby Joseph Maraachli said Monday it has offered to let his parents take the terminally ill infant home to die.
The Vancouver Sun reported that London Health Sciences Centre has issued a news release stating the facility has always been willing to transfer the child home and take him off life support.
The hospital added that it would pay for the transfer to the Maraachli home in Windsor, and Joseph would be accompanied by LHSC staff.
The statements come a day after London Health Sciences announced it was launching a campaign to correct misinformation about the case and clarify its position.
However, father Moe Maraachli has said he and his wife have refused the offer. In addition, the family’s lawyer was surprised to see the public statement as discussions were to remain confidential.
Specialists believe that it is in 13 month old Joseph’s best interests to remove his breathing tube, since he suffers from a neurological disorder and cannot breathe on his own.
Joseph’s parents want the hospital to perform a tracheotomy – cutting open a direct airway in the baby’s throat – so they can have more time with him at home before he dies.
The two parties have been caught in a protracted legal battle ever since.
