Hong Kong Enacts Landmark Law Allowing Terminally Ill Patients to Refuse Resuscitation

Hong Kong has enacted a landmark law granting terminally ill patients the right to refuse life-sustaining treatments, providing legal protection for medical professionals and offering a statutory framework for end-of-life care in the rapidly aging city.

The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance, which took effect July 31, allows mentally competent adults to draft legally binding advance directives. Patients can decline invasive measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and artificial nutrition when they reach specific medical states, though they cannot refuse basic care and palliative treatment.