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A six-year-old West Australian boy with terminal cancer does not have to undergo court-ordered chemotherapy, a Family Court has ruled.
Western Australia (WA) Family Court Justice Rick O'Brien ordered that Oshin Kiszko, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in late 2015, would be moved to palliative care rather than go through chemotherapy.
Kiszko's doctors recommended that he undergo chemotherapy, which they argued offered his only prospect of being cured, after surgery to remove a tumor in his brain in December 2015.
Angela Kiszko (middle) and Colin Strachan (back), from Perth in the hospital. Photo By: Mail Online
Other than an initial two courses of chemotherapy in May, Kiszko's parents refused to give permission for the recommended treatment, saying they did not want their son to suffer the side effects of the treatment for a slim chance at survival. They then took the matter to the Family Court.
O'Brien sided with Kiszko's parents that he should be allowed to die with dignity and peace, noting that his parents knew him better than anyone.
Kiszko and his father.Photo By: Mail Online
"That relationship, and the support and love which only his parents can give, are of critical importance to Oshin and to his quality of life over the months to come," O'Brien said in comments published by News Limited on Friday.
O'Brien insisted that this case did not set a precedent for future decisions about curative or palliative treatment for other children.
In palliative care, Kiszko will be assisted in living his life as comfortably as possible for as long as he has left.
(APD)
