PANAJI:
The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry's draft guidelines on passive euthanasia have sparked concerns among medical professionals, who fear being burdened with the responsibility of making life-or-death decisions and facing legal scrutiny. The guidelines state that the decision to withdraw life support in terminally ill patients should be a "considered" one, made by doctors. Many doctors are apprehensive, stating that legal challenges to such decisions could deter them from acting in the best interests of the patient.
A senior medical practitioner expressed concern, saying, "Legal scrutiny will always weigh on the mind of the doctor, potentially deterring affirmative decisions." The Indian Medical Association (IMA), both nationally and its Goa State branch, has already voiced objections, fearing the guidelines expose doctors to undue legal risks.
In cases where the decision to withdraw life support is contested, the matter will be referred to a Primary and Secondary Medical Board for final consideration. However, Dr. Sandip Naik, a surgeon from North Goa, says that the decision should rest with the patient and their close relatives, rather than doctors. He added that the new responsibility would be an added burden on doctors, who are primarily focused on keeping patients alive.
Another point of contention is the guideline that places the responsibility on doctors not to initiate life-support treatments like ventilation, transfusions, or dialysis when they are unlikely to benefit terminally ill patients and may only prolong suffering.
These guidelines, expected to be enforced within a month, could also necessitate changes to Goa's existing system. Since June, Goans have been allowed to create a "living will," a legal document in which individuals with declining health or terminal illnesses can authorise doctors to discontinue life support when necessary. This preemptive decision-making process aims to ease the burden on both doctors and families, ensuring that patients’ wishes are respected in critical situations.
