Guideline for euthanasia; legislation must happen only after holding discussions

It is better to turn up one's toes than to live unconsciously with the help of medical devices in such a way that there is no possibility of recovery. A decision in this regard has to be taken by the patient's close relatives. Even if such a decision is taken, there is currently no legislation to implement it. The Union Health Ministry has issued guidelines ahead of enacting a law in this regard. According to the draft guidelines, doctors can take an appropriate decision on allowing passive euthanasia with the consent of relatives. The doctor can withdraw the life-saving system if the patient or relatives assess the situation and provide a consent document.

People can submit suggestions in this regard by October 20. All sections of people should try their best to express their opinion on the matter. Religious objections should not be taken into account by the government in this regard. The Supreme Court had made it clear in 2018 that a person can write a living will in advance, in which his opinion on the matter is recorded. Staying alive for a long time with the help of medical devices can put a huge financial burden on the relatives of the patient if the patient's stay is in a private hospital. There are many in society who think that there is no point in maintaining only the pulse of life in the patient with the help of devices even after the doctors have informed that the patient cannot be brought back to the former self. In general, everyone expresses the desire to die without suffering as a bedridden person. Given all this, passive euthanasia is likely to be welcomed by society in general.

However, euthanasia cannot be allowed to save a person from the physical pain he or she is experiencing due to a disease. This would be tantamount to questioning medical science. This type of euthanasia does not exist in any country in the world. The Indian Medical Association has expressed its opposition to the central government's draft guidelines. They say the provision that doctors can take an appropriate decision in allowing passive euthanasia will put pressure on doctors. The final decision will be taken by a medical board consisting of experts in the field of health, doctors prescribed by the government health department and others. So doctors can't stay away from the issue completely on the pretext that they will be under stress.

It is only the doctor who can understand that a patient is no longer likely to return to his or her former self. It is also customary for doctors to give such indications to relatives. Passive euthanasia is legal in many developed countries. The principle of euthanasia is to avoid keeping a patient, who is unlikely to return to life, alive with the help of machines and expensive medicines. According to the guidelines, devices can be removed if there is no change in the health condition even after 72 hours of maintaining the patient's life through artificial means. The government should enter into the legislation only after holding discussions with all sections and addressing the concerns of the doctors.