Ethical issues in pediatric intensive care in developing countries: combining western technology and eastern wisdom.
Application of traditional ethical principles in developing countries may not, indeed should not, conform to the western philosophy and ideology. The principle of distributive justice is of utmost importance when critical resources are scarce. There is no ethical imperative, nor is one followed even in the most advanced countries, that every citizen is entitled to the very best available care. However, a society must establish a uniform code of ethics that can be applied nationally, whereby all citizens are eligible for a minimum acceptable level of care. The traditional principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice are still applicable in structuring an ethical framework that is most suited for the country's needs and resources.
Sarnaik
Ashok P
AP
Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan and Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA. asarnaik@med.wayne.edu
Daphtary
Kshama
K
Sarnaik
Ajit A
AA
D001293:Attitude to Death; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care / Q000941:ethics*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003906:Developing Countries; D005065:Euthanasia; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000941:ethics*; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D009014:Morals; D010684:Philosophy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D012935:Social Justice