Ana Estrada, a Peruvian psychologist who suffered from polymyositis, an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and left her confined to her bed, became the first person in Peru to die by euthanasia with medical assistance. She fought for years in the Peruvian courts for the right to die with dignity, despite euthanasia and assisted suicide being illegal in the conservative country. In 2022, the nation’s Supreme Court granted her an exception, upholding a lower court ruling that allowed her to make the decision to end her life without fear of punishment for those who assisted her. This landmark decision in Peru set a precedent for others seeking the right to die with medical aid.
Polymyositis had begun affecting Estrada as a teenager, and by the age of 20, she was in a wheelchair due to the loss of strength in her muscles. Despite her physical limitations, she earned a psychology degree, became a therapist, and purchased her own apartment to become independent from her parents. However, by 2017, her condition worsened, and she was unable to leave her bed, experiencing difficulty breathing and surviving bouts of pneumonia. Using transcription software, she maintained a blog titled “Ana for a death with dignity,” where she shared her struggles and decision to pursue euthanasia as her disease progressed.
With the support of the Peruvian Human Rights Ombudsman, Estrada won a lawsuit that granted her the right to die with euthanasia. Despite her physical limitations, she participated in court sessions via video conferencing from her bed, stressing that she valued life but wanted the freedom to choose when to end her suffering. She emphasized her desire to bid farewell to her loved ones with peace and tranquility when she could no longer bear the pain of her condition. This courageous fight for her right to die with dignity helped educate thousands of Peruvians about the importance of defending this right and sparked conversations beyond the nation’s borders.
Throughout her battle for the right to euthanasia, Estrada maintained a strong sense of autonomy and determination, emphasizing her desire to make decisions about her own life and death. Only a few countries, such as Canada, Belgium, and Spain, have legalized euthanasia, while certain U.S. states, like Maine and Oregon, allow physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. In Latin America, euthanasia remains largely illegal, with exceptions such as Colombia, which legalized it in 2015, and Ecuador, which decriminalized the practice in February. Estrada’s case shed light on the importance of having the choice to end one’s suffering with medical assistance in a dignified manner, sparking discussions about end-of-life care and individual autonomy.
Ana Estrada’s story highlights the complexities of navigating end-of-life decisions in societies where euthanasia and assisted suicide are not legally sanctioned. Her determination to advocate for her right to die with dignity in the face of a debilitating disease inspired many Peruvians and resonated internationally. While debates about the ethics and legality of euthanasia continue, Estrada’s case has raised awareness about the need for compassionate end-of-life care and the importance of respecting individuals’ choices in managing their own suffering. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and advocacy in overcoming legal and societal barriers to access the right to die with medical assistance.
