Mumbai, January 24, 2024: The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step towards ensuring a dignified death for individuals through its recent order in the Common Causes v. Union of India case. The court has allowed citizens to issue Advance Medical Directives or Living Wills. This ruling enables people to express their wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where they are critically ill and dependent on life support, with no hope of recovery.
A Living Will allows individuals to outline the type of care they wish to receive when they are no longer able to make decisions. This helps avoid confusion and emotional turmoil among relatives during such critical moments.
How to Submit an Advance Medical Directive: For the smooth implementation of this order, citizens are required to submit a copy of their Advance Medical Directive to a local government authority, such as a municipal corporation, municipality, or panchayat. In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been designated to manage these directives.
The BMC has appointed Medical Health Officers in all 24 wards of the city as custodians for these documents, ensuring safe and accessible storage. Additionally, Assistant Health Officers and Deputy Executive Health Officers from the Public Health Department, who handle birth and death registrations, will support the management of these directives.
Digital Submissions for Public Convenience: To make the process more accessible, the BMC is developing a system on its official website to accept Advance Medical Directives digitally through the SAP system. This initiative will enable people to submit their directives from the comfort of their homes. Contact details, including the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the responsible Medical Health Officers, have also been made available on the website to assist citizens.
This new process ensures that individuals’ wishes regarding medical treatment are respected, offering clarity and peace of mind to families during difficult times. The Supreme Court’s decision marks a critical step towards upholding dignity and respect in end-of-life care for all.