The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement, expanded the right to life to incorporate the right to die with dignity, thereby legalising passive euthanasia. It, further, approved 'living will' to provide terminally ill patients or those in persistent and incurable vegetative state a dignified exit by refusing medical treatment or life support system.
The verdict was handed down by a constitution bench consisting of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan.
It means that the judgement :-
(a) allows a terminally ill patient or a person in persistent vegetative state to execute an 'advance
medical directive' or a 'living will' to refuse medical treatment. The person concerned can
also authorise, through the will, any relative or friend to decide in consultation with the
medical experts as to when to pull the plug.
(b) has attached strict conditions for executing the 'will' made by a person in his normal state
of health and mind.
(c) has said that the life support system can only be removed after the statutory medical board
declares the patient to be incurable.
(d) has reiterated that the best interest of the patient shall override the interest of the state.
By bringing out the judgement, the Supreme Court has linked the 'right to die' with the 'right to privacy'. It's also taken the first step to decriminalise suicide. It also ponders over giving judicial support to the idea that it's inhuman to punish a distressed person who failed to end his life through suicide!
My comments.
(a) Definitely a step in the right direction.
(b) The society will need to keep a strict vigil over its misuse.
Tailpiece.
1. Took Lekha to the pulmonologist next door and got the medicines for the persistent cough.
2. Mohanachandran's medical bulletin.
Mohan's progress has been slow. Two days back his Sodium levels had dropped again and he is,
now, down with fever. The weakness caused doesn't permit further physiotherapy. Everybody is
anxious and helpless in this situation. His tracheotomy perforation has been closed for now but
the peg remains. I was hoping that he starts making some sounds but that has not happened yet.
Let's continue to pray for his recovery. From BR Vijayakumar.
The verdict was handed down by a constitution bench consisting of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan.
It means that the judgement :-
(a) allows a terminally ill patient or a person in persistent vegetative state to execute an 'advance
medical directive' or a 'living will' to refuse medical treatment. The person concerned can
also authorise, through the will, any relative or friend to decide in consultation with the
medical experts as to when to pull the plug.
(b) has attached strict conditions for executing the 'will' made by a person in his normal state
of health and mind.
(c) has said that the life support system can only be removed after the statutory medical board
declares the patient to be incurable.
(d) has reiterated that the best interest of the patient shall override the interest of the state.
By bringing out the judgement, the Supreme Court has linked the 'right to die' with the 'right to privacy'. It's also taken the first step to decriminalise suicide. It also ponders over giving judicial support to the idea that it's inhuman to punish a distressed person who failed to end his life through suicide!
My comments.
(a) Definitely a step in the right direction.
(b) The society will need to keep a strict vigil over its misuse.
Tailpiece.
1. Took Lekha to the pulmonologist next door and got the medicines for the persistent cough.
2. Mohanachandran's medical bulletin.
Mohan's progress has been slow. Two days back his Sodium levels had dropped again and he is,
now, down with fever. The weakness caused doesn't permit further physiotherapy. Everybody is
anxious and helpless in this situation. His tracheotomy perforation has been closed for now but
the peg remains. I was hoping that he starts making some sounds but that has not happened yet.
Let's continue to pray for his recovery. From BR Vijayakumar.
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