March 14, New Delhi: Days after the Supreme Court of India allowed the first-ever case of passive euthanasia, Dr. MR Rajagopal spoke exclusively to DD about its impact.
Dr. Rajagopal, widely regarded as the Father of Palliative Care in India, emphasized that the verdict should no longer be called "passive euthanasia." He explained that the court clarified the process as "withdrawing artificial life support," allowing natural death rather than killing. He highlighted that prolonged ICU deaths, often painful and impersonal, should be replaced with humane end-of-life care among family.
He further noted that the ruling introduces the concept of an Advanced Medical Directive, which allows individuals to express how they wish their end-of-life care to be managed, ensuring dignity and compassion in the process.
