A Chilean teen with cystic fibrosis recently posted a desperate video on Facebook asking for physician- assisted suicide, and received a visit from her country's president on Saturday.
Valentina Maureira, 14, asked President Michelle Bachelet for permission to die to end her suffering from the debilitating disease.
Maureira posted the cell phone video on Facebook from her hospital bed while her parents were outside the room.
"I am tired of living with this sickness," she said in the footage. "Please authorise an injection so I can sleep forever."
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. Maureira experiences vomiting and constant headaches, according to her father, Freddy. Her brother died from the condition.
The teen's video went viral, and spurred discussion over the right to die. Chile does not allow assisted suicide, and people on both sides debated the issue over social media.
President Bachelet and Minister of Health Jaime Mañalich visited the girl at Catholic University's Clinic Hospital in Santiago, although Presidential spokesman Alvaro Elizaldo acknowledged that the two government leaders cannot change the law.
"But what are we doing?" Elizaldo added. "The health ministry is in constant contact with Valentina's family, and we will provide all the emotional and psychological support and medical treatment to improve her living conditions."
Maureira was diagnosed at the age of six, and is expected to live until age 17. The hospital's chief of pediatrics, Dr Andre Castillo, said her condition is stable, and CNN Chile reported that she has slightly improved.
The family is holding on to hope that the teen will receive a lung transplant.
During the presidential visit, Bachelet learned more about Maureira's condition, and the teen thanked the president for her attention.
