The Union Health Ministry has published a draft of guidelines regarding passive euthanasia. These guidelines, titled 'Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally Ill Patients,' were issued by the ministry. Feedback and suggestions on the draft are being sought from stakeholders until October 20. The draft defines terminal illness as an irreversible or incurable condition that will lead to death in the near future. The guidelines are structured around four conditions: confirmation of brainstem death, medical prognosis indicating no benefit from aggressive treatment, documented informed refusal from the patient or surrogate, and compliance with procedures outlined by the Supreme Court. Dr. R V Asokan, the national President of the IMA, acknowledged that such clinical decisions are typically made in good faith by doctors. He emphasized the importance of involving patients' relatives in decision-making and addressing each case on its merits. Passive euthanasia involves the deliberate withholding or discontinuation of medical treatments or life-support interventions to allow a person to pass away naturally. This may involve ceasing treatments like ventilators, feeding tubes, or medications that sustain life. Unlike active euthanasia, passive euthanasia permits death to occur without actively causing it.The practice of passive euthanasia is often considered in cases where the patient is suffering from a terminal illness, has little to no chance of recovery, or is in a persistent vegetative state. Decisions for passive euthanasia are typically based on the patient's wishes, advance directives, or made by family members and healthcare proxies when the patient is unable to make decisions themselves. While this practice raises ethical questions, it is legal in many countries under certain guidelines and conditions.

Stress and its impact on skin and hair

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are legally allowed in various countries. For example, euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Spain, while Switzerland allows assisted suicide. Canada permits both euthanasia and assisted suicide, and some U.S. states like Oregon, Washington, and California allow assisted suicide with strict regulations. Colombia has also legalized euthanasia. Each country or region has specific criteria, such as terminal illness or unbearable suffering, that must be met for euthanasia or assisted suicide to be legally performed.