Govt releases guidelines for life support Withdrawal in ill patients

The recently released Union Health Ministry’s “Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally ill Patients” was the result of joint brainstorming by as many as 25 doctors from across India and defines “terminal illness” as an “irreversible or incurable condition from which death is inevitable in the foreseeable future.”

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Speaking with ANI, Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar, Chief IRCH Cancer, AIIMS, Delhi said that it is not active or passive euthanasia, rather, “it’s a way of giving treatment when the end is inevitable” She further said, “Almost 25 doctors were involved. It took multiple meetings and brainstorming and doctors from all over India. This is a welcome step by the government of India. Dr Bhatnagar said that while all sorts of technological advancements can be used for someone who can be cured, no one has taught doctors what to do when the end is inevitable. “In medicine, we all have learnt how to diagnose and how to treat but no one has taught us what should be our approach when end is inevitable. Thus we keep treating a person even if we know that there is no chance of recovery. Thus we keep treating a person and finally person ends his life away from his or her loved ones in ICU with all sorts of technological advancements which we could have used for someone who can be cured,” she said.