Representative image of a dead body.
Credit: iStock Photo
In a historic step, the Karnataka Health Department has issued an order to implement the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling allowing terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity. The decision marks an important shift in healthcare ethics, ensuring that patients no longer need to endure prolonged suffering when there is no hope of recovery. The order encompasses three key components: living will, passive euthanasia, and safeguards. Patients can now draft a living will or an advance medical directive (AMD) specifying their wish to avoid life support if they are terminally ill or in a vegetative state. Passive euthanasia refers to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment to allow the patient to die naturally. The safeguards include multiple layers of approval, including certification by medical boards and judicial oversight, to prevent misuse. The order reflects a careful balance between patient autonomy, medical ethics, and legal compliance, as outlined by the apex court, and addresses the dilemma faced by close relatives in such sensitive and emotionally challenging situations.
While this is a progressive step in ensuring compassionate healthcare, the success hinges on transparent and efficient implementation. The process must not be bogged down in unnecessary legal delays. Multiple checks and balances are necessary, but it must not turn into a hurdle that undermines its purpose. The system demands a streamlined procedure that respects the urgency of the situation. Medical facilities, particularly government hospitals, must be adequately equipped to handle this sensitive issue. Healthcare professionals must be trained not only in medical protocols, but also in managing complex ethical decisions. It is also essential to ensure that the patients’ AMD is easily accessible, in either physical or digital form, so that the wishes of those who intend to forgo life-sustaining treatment are respected without delay.
The ruling and the subsequent government order place a significant responsibility on the medical and legal systems to uphold the integrity of the process. It is crucial to respect the patients’ rights while ensuring that robust safeguards remain in place to prevent misuse. The role of the legal framework is vital in preventing wrongful denial of care or potential manipulation of vulnerable patients. The adoption of the apex court order is a step towards respecting the dignity of individuals in their final moments. It is now incumbent upon the government, medical professionals, the legal system and the public to ensure that the system is implemented with efficiency, compassion and the utmost respect to human life.