Andhra govt formulates 'mercy killing' modalities

Amaravati, Jul 8 (PTI) The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday formulated the modalities for euthanasia or 'mercy killing', adhering to Supreme Court directives to offer relief to terminally ill patients. "The state government has formulated modalities for allowing mercy killing to patients suffering from incurable diseases," a release said. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav approved the euthanasia guidelines formulated today in line with the apex court's directives after deliberating with officials, said the release. This will be a relief for patients on a ventilator and suffering immensely. Aimed at avoiding any irregularities in implementing the 'mercy killings' provisions, the government entrusted the responsibility to the Director of Medical Education, Director of Secondary Health and District Medical and Health Officers (DM&HOs). Key modalities of 'mercy killing' in Andhra Pradesh include the patient giving an endorsed 'advance directive' mentioning the name of the guardian who can take a call on the subsequent treatment requirements. This declaration has to be approved by a notary or a gazetted officer according to the modality, said the press release. Likewise, doctors can inform the guardians about the uselessness of further treatment to a terminally ill patient and set up a primary medical board with two more doctors with an experience of over five years to arrive at a decision within 48 hours. On the primary medical board concluding that further treatment is futile, a secondary medical board has to be created consisting of the doctor treating the patient, local DM&HO and two more doctors unrelated to the treatment. Based on the opinion of both the medical boards and the guardian's consensus, the hospital has to inform a first-class magistrate before ceasing the treatment, said the press release. In the event the secondary medical board refuses to stop medical treatment for the patient, the guardian can approach the High Court, which can set up an independent committee constituting doctors with more than 20 years of experience, among other conditions. All the records pertaining to euthanasia must be saved for three years after a 'mercy killing', the press release added. PTI STH ADB