The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step towards implementing passive euthanasia and honoring “Living Wills” by establishing Primary and Secondary Medical Boards for private hospitals in the state. District Civil Surgeons have been directed to ensure that private medical institutions comply with the directives, which include a two-tier board structure for private hospitals. The process involves a stringent two-stage approval workflow to legally withdraw life-sustaining treatment, with the Primary Medical Board assessing the feasibility of the request at the admitting hospital.
The Secondary Medical Board, overseen by the District Civil Surgeon, acts as an independent safeguard and comprises various specialists and experts to ensure thorough scrutiny and prevent misuse. The state’s initiative is based on a Supreme Court judgment from March 11, 2026, which clarified the legal aspects of Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration (CANH) as medical treatment. This move aims to uphold citizens’ right to die with dignity by translating legal provisions into practical medical protocols within the private healthcare sector.
The Supreme Court’s reinforcement of “Living Wills,” combined with Maharashtra’s Government Resolution, aims to provide a framework that ensures the respectful implementation of end-of-life decisions. The establishment of these Medical Boards signifies a structured approach to handling such sensitive medical scenarios, emphasizing the importance of due process and expert evaluation. This development aligns with the evolving legal landscape surrounding end-of-life care and medical decision-making.
