Ana Milagros Estrada Ugarte (20 November 1976 – 21 April 2024) was a Peruvian psychologist and
right to die
The right to die is a concept rooted in the belief that individuals have the Self-ownership, autonomy to make fundamental decisions about their own lives, including the choice to Suicide, end them or undergo voluntary euthanasia, central to the b ...
activist.
Biography
At the age of 12, Estrada was diagnosed with
polymyositis
Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles ( inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. Its name is derived . The inflammation of polymyositis is mainly found in the endomysial layer ...
, an uncommon inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness.
Later in her life, Estrada completed her studies at the
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (, PUCP) is a private university in Lima, Peru. It was founded in 1917 with the support and approval of the Catholic church, being the oldest private institution of higher learning in the country.
The Peru ...
before being determined
paralyzed
Paralysis (: paralyses; also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can also be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage. In the United States, r ...
and having to use a
wheelchair
A wheelchair is a mobilized form of chair using two or more wheels, a footrest, and an armrest usually cushioned. It is used when walking is difficult or impossible to do due to illnesses, injury, disabilities, or age-related health conditio ...
.
In 2015, Estrada's health declined and she had to be admitted for
pneumonia
Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...
in intensive care at
Rebagliati Hospital, leaving her
bedridden
Being bedridden is a form of immobility that can present as the inability to move or even sit upright. It differs from bed-rest, a form of non-invasive treatment that is usually part of recovery or the limitation of activities. Some of the more se ...
which caused her to become
depressed.
Euthanasia request
Around 2019, Estrada requested to be euthanized as a result of pain caused by her illness,
but her request was denied due to euthanasia being classified as a crime in Peru under
murder
Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification (jurisprudence), justification or valid excuse (legal), excuse committed with the necessary Intention (criminal law), intention as defined by the law in a specific jurisd ...
.
Estrada set up a petition on
Change.org
Change.org is a website which allows users to create and sign petitions in an attempt to advance various social causes by raising awareness and influencing decision-makers. The site is a US-based for-profit company and claims to have 551 million ...
in order to legalize euthanasia in Peru and to allow herself to "die with dignity".
On 25 February 2021, the Eleventh Constitutional Court of Peru declared that euthanasia did not classify as murder and ordered the
Ministry of Justice
A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...
and
Ministry of Health to respect her decision.
Death
Estrada became the first person in Peru to die by
euthanasia
Euthanasia (from : + ) is the practice of intentionally ending life to eliminate pain and suffering.
Different countries have different Legality of euthanasia, euthanasia laws. The British House of Lords Select committee (United Kingdom), se ...
on 21 April 2024, at the age of 47.
See also
*
List of deaths from legal euthanasia and assisted suicide
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Estrada, Ana
1976 births
2024 deaths
2024 suicides
Peruvian psychologists
Euthanasia activists
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru alumni
Deaths by euthanasia