Cultural considerations in the declaration of death by neurologic criteria in Africa

Abstract

In most African countries, death can only be certified by law after circulatory-respiratory arrest. The idea that one can be declared dead by neurologic criteria while one’s heart is still beating is not widely accepted and, with the diversity of cultures and spiritual/religious beliefs on the continent, this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Critical care resource limitation, public education that acknowledges religious and cultural diversity, and possibly even organ donation, are powerful drivers that we hope will guide the creation of future standards and laws about the declaration of death by neurologic criteria in Africa.