Bengaluru: In line with the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling, the Karnataka Health Department has officially implemented the “right to die with dignity” policy for patients who are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state, with no hope of recovery and are on life support.
This policy allows patients to pass away without being subjected to life-sustaining treatment if their condition is deemed irreversible. However, the process can only be carried out if the patient’s family agrees and requests the court’s permission.
The approval process follows a two-step medical review system:
- Primary Review: A board of three doctors will assess the patient’s medical condition.
- Secondary Review: A second board, consisting of three doctors and one government-appointed doctor, will review the reports. After this, the case will be sent to the court for final approval.
Karnataka’s Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, shared his views on the policy via X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the relief it provides to families of terminally ill patients. He stated, “This will immensely benefit those who are terminally ill with no hope of recovery or are in a persistent vegetative state, and where the patient no longer benefits from life-sustaining treatment.”
In addition, the state has introduced an Advance Medical Directive (AMD), also known as a living will, which allows patients to document their future medical treatment preferences, offering them more control over their healthcare decisions.
This move is aimed at offering dignified closure for patients and their families, ensuring that individuals in dire medical situations have the option to avoid prolonged suffering.
