This was demonstrated by the example of a 48-year-old Delhi patient in August of last year who had been afflicted with a crippling neuro-inflammatory condition since 2014. He had to travel to Switzerland to have his wish for euthanasia carried out because he had reached the point where he needed help from his ageing parents for even the most basic tasks and was in constant pain. But how many individuals can afford to travel to nations like Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, and portions of the United States and Australia that allow euthanasia in certain circumstances?
The path has now been made easier for patients in India who are in a vegetative state to pass away with dignity as part of their right to life under Article 21 by eliminating the requirement for a judicial magistrate’s approval to execute the living will and allowing a notary or gazetted officer to do so. The precautions are not jeopardised by the revisions because they only apply to the most hopeless instances and have no purpose other than to respect the patient’s or his loved ones’ living will.
Source: Hindustan Times
In this advance will, prepared by a person of sound mind, the individual authorises the removal of mechanical support, such as a feeding tube or ventilator, in the event that he later enters a permanent vegetative condition. According to the SC, depriving terminally ill patients of the right to euthanasiau2014which eases their end and relieves them of painu2014condemns them to a terrible existence. Though admittedly a tough call, it must be enforced with due care.
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