The Union Health Ministry has issued preliminary guidelines concerning passive euthanasia, titled 'Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally Ill Patients.' These guidelines define terminal illness as a condition that is irreversible or incurable, ultimately leading to death in the near future. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions on the draft by October 20. The guidelines are centered on four key conditions: verification of brainstem death, medical prognosis indicating that the patient's condition is advanced and unlikely to benefit from aggressive treatments, documented consent from the patient or surrogate to discontinue life support, and compliance with procedures outlined by the Supreme Court.

In response to the draft guidelines, Dr. R V Asokan, the national President of IMA, emphasized that such clinical decisions have historically been made in good faith by medical professionals. He highlighted the importance of involving patients' families, providing detailed information, and making decisions based on individual cases. Dr. Asokan stressed that certain aspects should be determined by the patient, family, and healthcare providers according to scientific evidence and the specific circumstances.

Passive euthanasia involves the conscious decision to withhold or withdraw medical treatments or life-sustaining interventions, allowing the individual to pass away naturally due to their underlying condition. This may include discontinuing measures like ventilators, feeding tubes, or medications that prolong life. In contrast to active euthanasia, where deliberate actions cause death, passive euthanasia allows for death to occur through the natural progression of the illness.The decision to consider passive euthanasia is often made in cases where a patient is facing a terminal illness, has little hope of recovery, or is in a persistent vegetative state. This decision is typically based on the patient's wishes, advance directives, or input from family members and healthcare proxies when the patient is unable to express their own choices. While this practice raises ethical questions, it is permitted in many countries under specific guidelines and circumstances.

The impact of stress on the skin and hair

Various countries have legalized euthanasia. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland allow euthanasia, with Switzerland also permitting assisted suicide. Canada allows for both euthanasia and assisted suicide, and certain U.S. states like Oregon, Washington, and California permit assisted suicide under strict rules. Colombia has also legalized euthanasia, with each country or region having its own set of criteria that must be met for euthanasia or assisted suicide to be carried out legally.