26-Jan-2023: Supreme Court Eases Norms for Passive Euthanasia
Changes in Guidelines for Passive Euthanasia in India
- Living will attestation: Notary or gazetted officer attestation is sufficient instead of judicial magistrate
- National Health Digital Record: Living will to be a part of it for easy access by hospitals and doctors
- Medical board permission denial: Family members can approach high court for a fresh board of medical experts
Passive Euthanasia
- Meaning: Withholding or withdrawing medical treatment to allow a person to die
- In contrast to active euthanasia, it involves active intervention to end a person’s life
- Legalisation in India: 2018 Supreme Court judgement on ‘living will’ allows an adult in conscious mind to refuse medical treatment or embrace natural death under certain conditions
- Guidelines available for terminally ill patients
Different Countries with Euthanasia
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Netherland, Luxembourg, Belgium |
Allow both euthanasia and assisted suicide for unbearable suffering with no chance of improvement |
|
Switzerland |
Bans euthanasia but allows assisted dying in the presence of a doctor or physician |
|
Canada |
Announcement to allow euthanasia and assisted dying for mentally ill patients by March 2023. Decision widely criticised and may be delayed. |
|
United States |
Different laws in different states. Euthanasia allowed in some states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana. |