The Union Health Ministry has issued preliminary guidelines regarding passive euthanasia titled 'Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally Ill Patients.' Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions on the guidelines by October 20. The draft defines terminal illness as an irreversible or incurable condition where death is inevitable in the near future. The guidelines are centered around four criteria: confirmation of brainstem death, medical assessment indicating futility of aggressive treatment, documented refusal to continue life support, and compliance with Supreme Court procedures. In reaction to the guidelines, Dr. R V Asokan, the national President of IMA, emphasized that such medical decisions have traditionally been made in patients' best interests. He mentioned that decisions should involve thorough communication with patients and their families, following scientific principles and considering individual circumstances. Passive euthanasia involves the deliberate withholding or removal of medical interventions, allowing a patient to pass away naturally. This may entail discontinuing treatments like ventilators, feeding tubes, or medications that sustain life, in contrast to active euthanasia where direct actions are taken to hasten death.The practice of passive euthanasia is often considered in situations where a patient is suffering from a terminal illness, has little to no chance of recovery, or is in a persistent vegetative state. Decisions regarding passive euthanasia are typically based on the patient's preferences, advance directives, or input from family members and healthcare proxies when the patient is unable to make decisions for themselves. While this practice raises ethical concerns, it is legal in many countries under specific guidelines and conditions. Additionally, stress can have an impact on skin and hair health.

Several countries have legalized euthanasia. For example, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland allow euthanasia, with Switzerland also permitting assisted suicide. In Canada, both euthanasia and assisted suicide are permitted, and certain U.S. states like Oregon, Washington, and California allow assisted suicide under tightly controlled regulations. Colombia has also legalized euthanasia. Each country or region has established criteria, such as terminal illness or unbearable suffering, that must be met for euthanasia or assisted suicide to be conducted legally.