‘His right to die with dignity’: AIIMS initiates passive euthanasia protocol for Harish Rana

NEW DELHI: Thirty-two-year -old Harish Rana was shifted to AIIMS on Saturday and put under a specialised medical team for passive euthanasia. He is being kept at the palliative care unit at AIIMS’ Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital.

On March 11, Supreme Court upheld Rana’s right to die with dignity, allowing removal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration. He has been in a vegetative state since 2013, after a fall from 4th floor of his PG accommodation left him with severe head injuries and 100% quadriplegic disability. He was a student at Panjab University.

Hospital sources said Rana will be under palliative care specialists and other doctors who will follow established medical and legal protocol for passive euthanasia.

The process generally involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment of patients with irreversible medical conditions while ensuring adequate pain relief and supportive care.

When contacted, Dr Seema Mishra, professor and head of the department of onco-anaesthesia and palliative medicine, declined to comment. Sources said there are strict instructions to doctors not to speak to the media.

Sources said when recovery is no longer possible, treatment shifts to palliative care, which focuses on relieving symptoms and keeping the patient comfortable rather than prolonging life artificially. Care plans are tailored for each patient, addressing physical, psychological and social needs, with doctors regularly assessing their condition. Decisions are made in consultation with the family, and the duration of this phase can varyfrom days to weeks.

Dr Sushma Bhatnagar, former AIIMS chief and professor of onco-anaesthesia and palliative medicine, said once doctors determine that the condition is irreversible and recovery is not possible, the focus shifts to comfort care.

“In such situations, lifesupport measures such as oxygen, artificial nutrition or other medical support may be gradually withdrawn. The process is carried out slowly and carefully so that the patient does not experience distress or discomfort. The aim is not to prolong suffering but to ensure that the patient remains comfortable. However, the exact time it takes varies widely and cannot be predicted without assessing the patient’s condition,” she said.