Tomorrow at 2 p.m. British time, the ventilator of 12-year-old Archie Battersbee, who was declared brain dead, will be disconnected. That was reported by the AP news agency, based on a letter from the hospital to the boy’s parents. The parents have always fought to continue treating him and keep him alive, but several court decisions have indicated that the boy can be taken off the ventilator against the wishes of his parents.
The hospital treating the 12-year-old said in a letter to his parents that “no supplemental oxygen will be given” after the ventilator is disconnected on Monday. Archie has been dependent on the machine for breathing since his admission to the hospital on April 7.
The 12-year-old boy suffered a brain injury in an incident at home in April. According to his mother, he probably participated in a TikTok challenge in which participants deliberately try to become unconscious. The boy never regained consciousness and, according to the doctors, is “brain stem dead”.
See also: Doctors may stop treatment of Archie (12)
“We understand that any debate about the end of Archie’s treatment is very difficult and painful,” the AP quoted from the hospital’s letter. “But we want to make sure you and your family can be as involved as you wish.” For example, the hospital is suggesting that parents sit on their son’s bed or hold him on Monday “if that is practically possible”.
Legal battle
At the beginning of June, the British Supreme Court already ruled that treatment of the Archie had to be stopped in the interests of the boy himself, because according to the doctors the child is almost certainly brain dead.
The family opposed that decision and appealed. Mother Hollie Dance previously said that there are still “so many options” abroad are for her son. “Why is this country so determined not to give my child time to heal?” she told Sky News. On Monday, however, the Court of Appeals upheld the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the boy’s ventilator.
Archie’s mother called in the help of British Health Minister Steve Barclay and the UN, but so far that seems to be in vain.
READ ALSO. Doctors may stop treatment of Archie Battersbee (12), British appeals court rules
Flemish doctor from hospital where Archie is on ventilator: “Eight weeks is perhaps a bit early to give up all hope”
Also see: Neurologist about brain dead Archie (12)
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