"In the western world the quality of dying is in stark contrast with the quality of living."

Wim Distelmans, Een waardig levenseinde

The quality of life has never been so important to so many people.

Those fortunate enough to benefit from useful information, activities, programmes,  policy measures,

and legislation, should be able to live well. To some extent, we may even feel entitled to it.

This contrasts starkly with how we die. In prosperous contexts, many people die in hospitals, surrounded by machines. Technological and medical advancements have made it possible to delay death endlessly, often beyond what patients would want. Mental and physical suffering abound

as people, accustomed to pursuing quality of life, are forced by others to abandon that ideal

and undergo life's end in inhumane circumstances.

But depending on where you live, you can make a different choice:

• In all Belgium, legislation enables people to officialize their request to die if ever facing physical or mental suffering they deem intolerable. While in good health, citizens can register a declaration with their municipality to be euthanized in any case of irreversible coma, or to not receive specific useless treatment in the case of incurable illness.

• Specifically in Flanders and Brussels, one can carry a "LEIF" (Life's End Information Forum) card stating these registered - and other - wishes regarding life's end.

• "LEIF" nurses, doctors, paramedics, psychotherapists and social workers have been trained to assist and advise people in these matters and in all aspects of palliative care.

• In Wallonia EOL | Forum EOL takes on a similar role.

All this means a more balanced approach to medical "curing" at any cost -

even when curing is no longer possible. The greater emphasis on "caring"

implies that humanity, dignity, and the rights of the patient prevail.