Public awareness of living wills remains low following court ruling on euthanasia
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Despite the 2018 Supreme Court ruling recognizing the right to die with dignity and the use of living wills, public awareness of these legal options remains low in India. Families of patients with terminal illnesses, such as cancer patients at New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences, frequently face significant gaps in institutional support and palliative care, which is accessed by only about 4 percent of the estimated 7 to 10 million people in need. The situation is exacerbated by cultural barriers, where discussing death is often viewed as inauspicious, leaving relatives unprepared to make critical medical decisions.
Consequences
Without increased public awareness or institutional support, families will likely continue to face clinical decisions regarding end-of-life care without guidance or knowledge of their legal rights. This leaves a significant portion of the millions requiring palliative care without access to services meant to alleviate suffering.
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