09/22/2023
At NIHG, our commitment lies in upholding the principle of Informed Consent. True informed consent necessitates the ability to make a well-informed decision. When it comes to life-altering procedures involving genitalia removal, it's essential to recognize that such decisions are irreversible. A young adult, by definition, is not yet fully equipped with the maturity and life experience of an older adult and should have the opportunity to undergo personal growth before making such a profound choice.
The responsibility for this decision extends to the adults involved in the process, ranging from the surgeon performing the procedure to the administrative personnel overseeing it, and even the healthcare plan that provided funding. In cases where financial gain takes precedence over the individual's well-being, those responsible should be held legally accountable. These individuals, as adults, should have possessed the wisdom and ethical awareness to act in the best interests of the young adult. Regrettably, in medicine sometimes, the pursuit of financial gain overshadows moral obligations, resulting in enduring suffering for the individual involved for the remainder their life.
The courts will decide as this trend increases. Is the healthcare industry ready? If you are in leadership in a facility where this is happening, or assigned to scrub the case, are you at risk personally when the young change their mind? Time will tell.