The Pro Bono Club recently organized a workshop on Living Wills, featuring Dr. Nikhil Datar, a renowned obstetrics and gynecology consultant at Cloudnine Hospital in Mumbai and a leading health rights activist. Dr. Datar, the first person in India to register his Living Will, shared insights on the legal document that outlines an individual's medical treatment preferences in case of incapacity. The session began with an interactive discussion on active and passive euthanasia, exploring its legality globally. Dr. Datar elaborated on the inception and concept of Living Wills, emphasizing their importance in maintaining an individual's quality of life even in the face of medical incapacity.
The concept of Living Wills originated in the United States in response to the increased use of life-sustaining treatments. In India, the Supreme Court recognized the right to die with dignity in the Aruna Shanbaug case in 2011. Dr. Datar explained that a Living Will can be executed voluntarily by an adult of sound mind, ensuring full understanding of its consequences. The document may be registered or unregistered and must specify when medical treatment should be withdrawn, adhering to prevailing laws. Dr. Datar also addressed the procedure of presenting the Living Will to a doctor, emphasizing the doctor's role in assessing its applicability based on medical considerations. The session concluded with Dr. Anand Raut providing concluding remarks, leaving attendees enriched with valuable knowledge. Overall, the workshop shed light on the legal and medical aspects of Living Wills, with Dr. Datar's expertise and insights contributing significantly to the attendees' understanding of the importance and nuances surrounding this critical legal document.
