The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released new draft guidelines on passive euthanasia for terminally ill patients. These guidelines aim to provide a framework for doctors to make informed decisions regarding withdrawing or withholding life support in such cases. The guidelines outline the following conditions that must be considered before discontinuing life support for a terminally ill patient: The patient has been diagnosed with brainstem death. The patient has an advanced medical condition that is unlikely to improve with any therapeutic interventions.
The patient or their legally authorized representative has provided documented, informed refusal to continue life support. All decisions on passive euthanasia must strictly adhere to the procedure prescribed by the Supreme Court of India. Additionally, the guidelines recommend that doctors carefully assess whether to…
