Medical experts hail ‘landmark judgment’
The Supreme Court judgment on Friday, allowing a person suffering from terminal illness to refuse medical treatment to avoid “protracted physical suffering” drove a wedge between the scientific and religious domains.
Dr Shivkumar Utture, a member of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) member and president of the Maharashtra Medical Council, hailed the ruling. “After this verdict, euthanasia and living will cannot be misused as there will be strict guidelines,” he said. “Just as every person has the right to life, s/he also has the right to die with dignity,” noted doctor and Padma Shri receipient Dr K K Aggarwal, who is also president of the Heart Care Foundation. “It is inhuman to force them to live on life support. Not only is it a torture for the person and the family, but also increases the cost of stay at the hospitalThus this decision needs to be applauded.”
BJP MP Vinay Sahsrabuddhe said the SC decision is in sync with the changing realities of society.
However, the decision has not been welcomed in some quarters. Senior Christian priests in Kerala dubbed the judgment as “unfortunate and condemnable”, expressing the possibility of misuse.
Kerala Catholic Bishop Conference president Archbishop Soosa Paikam said the verdict was “painful” …read more