Advocates Push for Acceptance of Living Wills in India

INIndia|

Health activists in India are breaking the taboo surrounding discussions of death by promoting the concept of living wills. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that individuals could create living wills, allowing for passive euthanasia under strict conditions. However, uptake has been slow due to cultural reluctance to address death openly. Dr. IP Yadev, a surgeon from Kerala, highlighted his personal experience with the struggle of balancing family wishes and patient autonomy after his father's terminal illness. His initiative, launched in November, provides education about living wills at the Government Medical College in Kollam, Kerala.

Experts, including Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar from Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, stress the importance of addressing living wills within the healthcare community to ensure patients can die with dignity. As awareness grows, particularly in Kerala, more individuals are beginning to sign living wills, indicating a cautious shift in public perception. Activists like Dr. Nikhil Datar are advocating for more robust implementation and a central digital repository for living wills to streamline the process for families and doctors.

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