COVID-19 and the Ethics of Whom to Treat First: A Utilitarian Approach
| Autor: | Linus Oluchukwu Akudolu, Ikechukwu Kenneth Okwuosa, Charles N. Okolie, Edward Ajanwachukwu Okoro, Hillary O. Eze |
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| Rok vydání: | 2022 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | International Journal of Current Research and Review. 14:86-91 |
| ISSN: | 0975-5241 2231-2196 |
| Popis: | The scarcity of resources in healthcare is always a problem. The problem is worsened by rising cases of coronavirus, mounting pressure on the available limited resources. The ethical issue emanating from this situation is the problem of whom to treat first. In the midst of scarce medical resources, who shall receive medical attention first? Between an ordinary patient and victim of coronavirus, between the critical and mild victim, and between the aged and the young, who shall be treated first? The paper adopted a utilitarian approach in solving the problem. The finding is that the number of persons to benefit from treating a particular patient, duration of treatment, age and health condition of the patient, chances of recovery, and quality of life after recovery are factors to be considered in taking the ethical decision. The work is qualitative research using library materials such as journal articles, books and unpublished materials as sources of data, while hermeneutics and philosophical analysis are applied in studying them. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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