Shen Chun-shan, a former president of National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu City, northern Taiwan, passed away Wednesday at the age of 86 at Mackay Memorial Hospital's Hsinchu branch, the university said in a statement.
The retired academic was admitted to the hospital September 5 suffering from fever and a swollen belly. After a colonoscopy, doctors found a twisted and necrotic section in Shen's intestine, the statement said, CNA reports. After treatment, Shen showed signs of recovery, but a few days later doctors found that his intestines had ruptured.
Shen's son Shen Hsiao-chin, a physician, decided along with his mother that they would not consent to a suggested invasive surgical procedure so that the patient, who had already been bedridden for many years, could die in peace, the statement said.
Hsing Hua Univeristy said Shen had a third severe stroke in 2007, since when he had been unconscious and unable to speak.
Shen's body will be cremated according to his wishes and there will be no formal ceremony, according to his family.
