McQuoid-Mason David Jan
Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
S Afr Med J. 2014 May 12;104(7):466-7. doi: 10.7196/samj.8417.
The question of whether a child aged 12 years or more who is sufficiently mature and has the necessary mental capacity may refuse to consent to life-saving treatment without consent from a parent, guardian or caregiver or without the assistance of a parent or guardian is governed by the Constitution, the Children's Act, the National Health Act and the common law. The best interests of the child are paramount, and should the child unreasonably refuse to consent to life-saving treatment, the Minister of Social Development may give consent for such treatment in terms of the Children's Act. Otherwise, should a parent, guardian, caregiver or healthcare provider believe that such a refusal is not in the best interests of the child, he or she may approach the High Court for an order to provide such treatment.
12岁及以上且足够成熟并有必要心智能力的儿童，在未经父母、监护人或照料者同意，或在没有父母或监护人协助的情况下，是否可以拒绝同意接受挽救生命的治疗这一问题，由《宪法》、《儿童法》、《国家卫生法》及普通法管辖。儿童的最大利益至高无上，若儿童不合理地拒绝同意接受挽救生命的治疗，社会发展部长可根据《儿童法》给予同意进行此类治疗。否则，若父母、监护人、照料者或医疗服务提供者认为这种拒绝不符合儿童的最大利益，他或她可向高等法院申请下达提供此类治疗的命令。
