Canary Islands euthanasia commission leadership dispute

The Canary Islands Ministry of Health dismissed Elisa Corujo from her role as president of the Commission for the Guarantee and Evaluation of the Provision of Assistance to Die. Health Minister Esther Monzón cited an “impossibility to exercise her functions” as the reason for the removal. Dr. Corujo, a geriatrician, has appealed the decision, calling it arbitrary and legally void, and maintains she has no physical or cognitive limitations preventing her from performing her duties.

Following the dismissal, the Association for the Right to Die Dignified (DMD) requested that the Spanish Ministry of Health investigate the removal. The DMD expressed concerns that the decision might compromise the independence of such commissions. Additionally, the association raised transparency concerns, noting that the Canary Islands is the only autonomous community that has not published euthanasia data for the years 2021 through 2024. They warned that bureaucratic delays and poor coordination could lead to patients dying while awaiting the processing of their requests.