Shanghai woman with lupus claims she chose euthanasia in Switzerland, sparking public debate

The Shanghai woman suffered from kidney failure due to systemic lupus erythematosus and said she was seeking euthanasia at a Swiss euthanasia facility with the support of her father. Photo: screenshot from online video

A Shanghai woman who claimed to be suffering from kidney failure due to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) said she was scheduled to apply for euthanasia on October 24 at a Swiss euthanasia facility with the support of her father. As of press time, there is no further information on the case and the authenticity of the case could not be independently confirmed by the Global Times, but a video she posted online to explain her choice has sparked a heated public debate on Chinese social media. about your choice, illness and attitude to life.

The WeChat account, which is said to belong to a woman whose name is reported to be Sha Baibai, has no longer displayed any videos since Thursday. The account previously posted videos documenting her countdown to Thursday’s scheduled euthanasia and discussing her battle with SLE in recent years. In a video circulating online, she showed off the three things she plans to take with her to the procedure: a necklace, a book and a scarf from her father.

An article published in the column of the news website ifeng.com said that at the age of 20, Sha Baibai was diagnosed with SLE, which this year led to severe nephritis and eventually kidney failure. After consulting doctors at several hospitals, she was convinced that recovery was impossible and chose euthanasia. The woman also shared her contact with the euthanasia organization and the entire application process.

Based on the footage that went viral, Sha shared in one video her desire to live a fun life despite its brevity, while in another video she admitted not taking the hormones used to treat SLE, saying she knew something would go wrong without taking their.

Sha Baibai’s father, who according to her video accompanied her to Switzerland, was unavailable at press time.

Sha Baibai’s video and her self-proclaimed choice sparked widespread discussion on social media. Some netizens expressed understanding of her experience and admiration for her courage, while others criticized her decision, calling it extreme and expressing concern about the possible stigma surrounding the disease. They emphasized that lupus is treatable and treatment options are available.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disorder that usually affects women, Mu Rong, deputy director of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Peking University People’s Hospital, told the Global Times on Sunday.

While it’s true that a small percentage of people with lupus can have acute and severe forms of the disease, especially those who haven’t received regular treatment, the vast majority of cases are treatable, Mu said. Lupus is similar to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. With the right treatment, most people can lead a normal life.

Global Times