Doctor Haroon Hussain explains legal, medical process behind passive euthanasia after SC order
Mangaluru: The recent Supreme Court order allowing passive euthanasia for a 32-year-old man who has been in a coma for more than 12 years has brought renewed discussion on the legal and medical framework surrounding end-of-life decisions in India.
Speaking about the issue, Dr. Haroon, a leading physician in Mangaluru who practices in the Department of Internal Medicine at KMC Mangaluru, explained the ethical principles, legal safeguards and procedures involved when such decisions are considered.
Ethical principles behind end-of-life decisions
Dr. Haroon said that medical decisions in such situations are guided by three important ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence.
Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make decisions about their own medical care. Beneficence requires doctors to act in the best interest of the patient, while non-maleficence means avoiding harm.
He pointed out that these principles are closely linked to the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Legal status of euthanasia in India
According to Dr. Haroon, euthanasia itself is not permitted in India. However, passive euthanasia is allowed under strict legal guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.
In many cases, patients may remain alive but exist in what doctors describe as a vegetative state, where basic bodily functions continue but there is no meaningful brain activity or possibility of recovery.
Dr. Haroon said that in such situations doctors may assess the “futility of care”, meaning that continued medical treatment may not improve the patient’s condition and there may be no chance of revival.
Role of a living will
Dr. Haroon emphasised that the best way for individuals to express their wishes in advance is through a living will.
A living will is a written document in which a person states what medical treatment they would or would not want if they lose the ability to make decisions in the future.
“If I were to lose my decision making ability,” a living will allows the patient’s wishes to be respected, he said.
He described the living will as the best way to ensure that a person’s preferences regarding life support and medical treatment are followed.
Next of kin and medical boards
In cases where a living will is not available, Dr. Haroon said that decisions may be taken with the involvement of the patient’s next of kin.
He explained that a primary medical board will examine the patient’s condition and give its opinion within 48 hours.
After this, a secondary medical board will independently review the situation.
The secondary board must include one member nominated by the Chief Medical Officer of the district.
Judicial oversight
Dr. Haroon also noted that the process involves legal oversight. Once the medical boards complete their assessment, the matter must be notified to a Judicial Magistrate.
According to him, the entire process generally takes around four to five days.
He added that if any conflict or disagreement arises during the process, the matter can be reviewed by the High Court.
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Champions League: Real Madrid and Man City square off again, PSG hosts Chelsea
Madrid (AP): Real Madrid and Manchester City go at it again in the Champions League on Wednesday.
For the fifth season in a row, the rivals have been drawn against each other in European club soccer's biggest competition.
By the end of the round of 16 they will have played each other three times this season after meeting in the league phase.
City won 2-1 on that occasion but goes into the latest encounter knowing it has been eliminated by Madrid in each of the last two seasons.
Madrid is missing big names with Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo all out for the 15-time champion.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain hosts Chelsea, the Club World Cup winner.
Chelsea was crowned world champion after victory over PSG in the final last summer — and this is a rematch between the giants.
In other games, Arsenal travels to Bayer Leverkusen and Bodø/Glimt hosts Sporting Lisbon.
