| Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: Polity, Topic: Right issues, Issue: Living Will |
Living Will:
- Legal in India since 2018, allow terminally ill patients to withhold or withdraw treatment and die with dignity.
Key concerns in implementation:
- Implementation of the Supreme Court’s process is scarce due to bureaucratic complexities and lack of state guidance.
- Local governments lag in designating custodians for living wills.
- Pending protocol from the National Health Authority hinders authentication through digital health records.
- Treatment decisions require certification by medical boards, complicating patient autonomy.
- Ambiguities in guidelines and lack of clear legal definitions contribute to officials’ reluctance to implement without detailed state directives.
The way ahead:
- Central government can support states by developing and publishing model orders and protocols.
- Effective guidance and persistent action from all levels of government are crucial for doctors to act in patients’ best interests.
