Karnataka becomes first state in India to allow ‘right to die’ for terminally ill
The Karnataka government has taken a significant step by issuing an order to set up medical boards in hospitals across the state to address requests for a dignified death. This development follows the 2023 Supreme Court ruling, which interpreted the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution to also encompass the right to die with dignity.
State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced the decision on January 31, describing it as “a historic order” that complies with the Supreme Court’s directives.
“This initiative will greatly benefit individuals who are terminally ill with no hope of recovery or those in a persistent vegetative state, where life-sustaining treatment no longer offers any benefit,” the minister stated.
The directive specifically addresses patients with severe medical conditions, allowing them and their families to seek relief through a well-defined legal and medical framework. The measure ensures that decisions regarding end-of-life care are made ethically and legally.
The order is expected to provide much-needed clarity on end-of-life care protocols while safeguarding patients’ dignity and rights. By creating medical boards, the government aims to facilitate compassionate decisions for those in irreversible conditions, balancing the principles of ethics, law, and humanity.
This move aligns Karnataka with the Supreme Court’s broader vision of promoting dignity in both life and death, ensuring the state’s healthcare system is equipped to support such sensitive and critical requests.
