Euthanasia – An Overview with Indian and Nursing Perspective

Globally and in India the number of terminally ill patients has increased sharply due to increase in the incidence of Non Communicable Diseases. Quality palliative care is an important concern for the health care professionals. There are many ethical issues revolving End-of-life care. One such controversial issue is euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS). Views on euthanasia differ from religion to religion. There are many arguments for and against euthanasia. Very few countries in the world have legalized euthanasia, PAS or both. India has become a step closer in legalizing passive euthanasia through the recent honorable Supreme Court judgment in the Aruna Shaunbag Case. The role of a physician in euthanasia or PAS is already a well-known fact. Even though nurses role in this is still unclear, few nurse clinicians/researchers have already stressed the important role nurse's play in assessing and assisting with euthanasia and PAS.