Alcohol abstinence policy for liver transplants discriminatory, Indigenous advocates say
Mornings with Simi
English - August 14, 2019 20:54 - 15 minutes - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingBusiness News News Society & Culture Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
David Dennis is a 44 year old First Nations man who is currently in the end stages of liver disease and he is in desperate need of a liver transplant. CKNW Contributor Claire Allen spoke with David Dennis about when and why he started drinking…
As mentioned, Dennis is in desperate need of a liver transplant, but he is no longer on the waitlist for a liver because he has not met the requirements of the Abstinence Policy. Dennis has managed to stay sober for three months, but in order to receive a liver transplant, the medical authority specifies that a recipient must abstain from alcohol for six months.
Yesterday, David, along with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, filed a formal complaint at the BC Human Rights Tribunal which challenges the lawfulness of the Abstinence Policy. In their release, David and the BC Union of Indian Chiefs stated that the required Abstinence Policy is a “lethal form of racism.” In a conversation with CKNW Contributor Claire Allen, David explained why he believes the Abstinence Policy to be discriminatory.
Dennis says that if he is given the chance to get a liver transplant, he would stay sober, even after the transplant. CKNW Contributor Claire Allen asked him what he hopes will be the result of his Human Rights complaint…
BC Transplant statement:
BC Transplant is aware of this case and appreciates the distress that patients and their loved ones face when needing an organ transplant. It is a difficult time for all those involved and we do everything we can to support patients through the process. While we do not publicly discuss the specific details of individual cases due to patient privacy, we will be reviewing this case together with the Liver Transplant Team at Vancouver Coastal Health.”
David Dennis is a 44 year old First Nations man who is currently in the end stages of liver disease and he is in desperate need of a liver transplant. CKNW Contributor Claire Allen spoke with David Dennis about when and why he started drinking…
As mentioned, Dennis is in desperate need of a liver transplant, but he is no longer on the waitlist for a liver because he has not met the requirements of the Abstinence Policy. Dennis has managed to stay sober for three months, but in order to receive a liver transplant, the medical authority specifies that a recipient must abstain from alcohol for six months.
Yesterday, David, along with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, filed a formal complaint at the BC Human Rights Tribunal which challenges the lawfulness of the Abstinence Policy. In their release, David and the BC Union of Indian Chiefs stated that the required Abstinence Policy is a “lethal form of racism.” In a conversation with CKNW Contributor Claire Allen, David explained why he believes the Abstinence Policy to be discriminatory.
Dennis says that if he is given the chance to get a liver transplant, he would stay sober, even after the transplant. CKNW Contributor Claire Allen asked him what he hopes will be the result of his Human Rights complaint…
BC Transplant statement:
BC Transplant is aware of this case and appreciates the distress that patients and their loved ones face when needing an organ transplant. It is a difficult time for all those involved and we do everything we can to support patients through the process. While we do not publicly discuss the specific details of individual cases due to patient privacy, we will be reviewing this case together with the Liver Transplant Team at Vancouver Coastal Health.”