A living will is a legal document that outlines a person's preferences regarding medical treatment when they are unable to make decisions for themselves. This document is crucial for ensuring that individual wishes are respected in critical healthcare situations.
The first person to register a living will in Goa was Justice M S Sonak of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court. This historic registration took place on May 31, 2024.
This registration signifies the formal implementation of advance medical directives in Goa, following the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court of India. It is a pivotal step in empowering individuals to make their healthcare preferences known.
In 2018, the Supreme Court of India legalized passive euthanasia, provided that the individual has a living will. The Court established comprehensive guidelines for this process, which were further refined in 2023, ensuring that individuals can make informed choices about their end-of-life care.
The process for creating a living will in Goa involves several steps:
Justice Sonak emphasized the vital importance of contemplating end-of-life issues and making preparations in advance, even amidst our busy lives. His advocacy for living wills highlights the need for proactive healthcare planning.
Advance medical directives are specific instructions given by individuals regarding their medical treatment preferences when they cannot communicate their decisions. These directives are instrumental in guiding healthcare providers and ensuring that patients receive care aligned with their wishes.
The mechanism for implementing living wills was established swiftly in Goa, with preliminary discussions starting in February 2024. Within a few months, collaborative efforts from the High Court of Bombay at Goa and the GSLSA facilitated this development.
Q1. What is the purpose of a living will?
Answer: A living will serves to express an individual's medical treatment preferences in situations where they are unable to communicate their wishes, ensuring their desires are respected in critical healthcare scenarios.
Q2. Who was the first person to register a living will in Goa?
Answer: Justice M S Sonak was the first individual to register a living will in Goa, marking a significant milestone in the state's legal landscape regarding healthcare decisions.
Q3. What are advance medical directives?
Answer: Advance medical directives are legal instructions provided by individuals outlining their preferences for medical treatment when they cannot make such decisions due to incapacitation.
Q4. How has the Supreme Court influenced living wills in India?
Answer: The Supreme Court legalized passive euthanasia in 2018, establishing the necessity of a living will for its implementation, thus shaping the legal framework for end-of-life care decisions.
Q5. What steps are involved in creating a living will in Goa?
Answer: To create a living will in Goa, one must draft the document with two witnesses, get it certified by a gazetted officer or notary, and submit it to the Mamlatdar for secure storage.
Question 1: What is a living will primarily used for?
A) To dictate funeral arrangements
B) To specify medical treatment preferences
C) To manage financial assets
D) To grant power of attorney
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Who was the first to register a living will in Goa?
A) Chief Minister of Goa
B) Justice M S Sonak
C) A local doctor
D) A private citizen
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What document is required for passive euthanasia in India?
A) Medical report
B) Living will
C) Death certificate
D) Consent form
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What role does the Mamlatdar play in the living will process?
A) Drafts the living will
B) Certifies the document
C) Stores the living will securely
D) Provides legal advice
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: When did the Supreme Court of India legalize passive euthanasia?
A) 2016
B) 2018
C) 2020
D) 2022
Correct Answer: B
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