Overview
- AIIMS-Delhi has initiated a medically supervised protocol after the Supreme Court authorized passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, who has been in a permanent vegetative state since 2013.
- A specialised multidisciplinary team led by Dr Seema Mishra is overseeing the process at AIIMS’ palliative care unit, drawing on neurosurgery, onco-anaesthesia, palliative medicine and psychiatry.
- Hospital officials indicate the protocol involves gradual reduction of artificial nutrition with palliative sedation for comfort, and the overall process could take roughly two to three weeks.
- In line with Indian law, approvals from two medical boards are being obtained to certify irreversibility before clinically assisted nutrition and other supports are withdrawn.
- The Supreme Court clarified that withdrawing feeding and medical tubes can constitute passive euthanasia, as the family shared an emotional farewell video and Harish’s father said the ruling may guide others in similar situations.