The Union Health Ministry has introduced preliminary guidelines on passive euthanasia. These guidelines, titled 'Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally Ill Patients,' have been issued by the Union Health Ministry and stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions on them before October 20. The draft identifies terminal illness as an irreversible or incurable condition where death is unavoidable in the near future. The guidelines are centered around four key factors: the confirmation of brainstem death, a medical evaluation suggesting that a patient's condition is advanced and unlikely to improve with aggressive treatments, documented refusal from the patient or their surrogate to continue life support, and adherence to procedures outlined by the Supreme Court.
Dr. R V Asokan, the national President of the IMA, responded to the guidelines by emphasizing that these clinical decisions have always been made in good faith by doctors. He stated that decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, with patients' families being informed and involved in the decision-making process. Dr. Asokan stressed the importance of leaving certain decisions to the individuals directly involved, including patients, relatives, and healthcare providers who consider scientific evidence and the specific circumstances.
Passive euthanasia involves the deliberate withholding or discontinuation of medical treatments or life-sustaining measures, allowing a person to pass away naturally from their underlying medical condition. This may entail stopping interventions like ventilators, feeding tubes, or medications that sustain life. In contrast to active euthanasia, where direct actions are taken to induce death, passive euthanasia allows death to happen by refraining from intervening in the natural progression of the illness.Passive euthanasia is a consideration for patients with terminal illnesses, little chance of recovery, or in a persistent vegetative state. Decisions for passive euthanasia are based on patient preferences, advance directives, or determined by family members and healthcare proxies when the patient is unable to decide for themselves. While this practice raises ethical concerns, it is lawful in many countries under specified guidelines and circumstances. The impact of stress on skin and hair varies across different regions. Euthanasia is legal in various countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, and Canada. Certain U.S. states like Oregon, Washington, and California allow assisted suicide within strict regulations. Colombia has also legalized euthanasia, with specific criteria for eligibility such as terminal illness or unbearable suffering.
