Last month the Health Ministry issued draft guidelines for Passive Euthanasia for public comments.

Draft guidelines outline conditions for withdrawal of life support in terminally ill patients.

Terminal illness defined as an irreversible or incurable condition from which death is inevitable in the foreseeable future. Doctors are advised to make a considered decision. They take into account several factors like

1. The patient being declared brainstem dead

2. A poor prognosis with no likely benefit from treatment

3. A documented informed refusal from the patient or their family.

4. Severe brain injuries with no recovery after 72 hours.

PASSIVE EUTHANASIA