Karnataka Implements ‘Right to Die with Dignity’
The Karnataka government has implemented the ‘Right to Die with Dignity’ for terminally ill patients who remain unresponsive to life support. The state’s health department took this decision in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directives.
Before granting this right, a two-stage medical review process will be conducted. In the first stage, a primary board consisting of three doctors will evaluate the patient’s condition. Following this, a secondary board, which includes an additional government-appointed doctor along with three other medical professionals, will review the findings of the primary board and submit a report to the court.
If the court approves the report, life support will be withdrawn under the supervision of medical experts, allowing the patient to pass away peacefully. However, this process will be initiated only at the request of the patient’s family.
The Supreme Court had earlier emphasized the need to provide terminally ill patients with relief from prolonged suffering and upheld their right to die with dignity. In response, the Karnataka government has decided to implement these directives.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced this development through a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). He stated that this decision would benefit patients suffering from incurable and life-threatening illnesses. He also described the initiative as a significant step, highlighting that it would bring great relief to many patients and their families.
