On July 8, 2026, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav signed a set of guidelines governing the withdrawal of life‑support for terminally ill patients in Vijayawada. The decision follows the Supreme Court’s landmark 2018 judgment that recognized the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right under Article 21.

Legal Background

After the 2018 verdict, the Supreme Court in 2023 issued structured guidelines for passive euthanasia, outlining a multi‑tiered medical board system to balance the interests of patients, families, and physicians. However, the absence of state‑level procedural rules left doctors and caregivers in a legal grey zone.

Key Provisions of the New Guidelines

The new framework mandates that, when a patient is deemed terminally ill, physicians must first verify the existence of an Advance Medical Directive (AMD). An AMD is a written declaration made by a competent adult, witnessed by two independent individuals, and notarized or attested by a gazetted officer. A copy must be lodged with the local authority, which appoints a custodian for the document.

If no AMD is on file, the treating hospital must constitute a Primary Medical Board (PMB) comprising senior doctors, the patient’s family physician (if any), and the next‑of‑kin or legal guardian. The PMB’s recommendation must be reviewed by a Secondary Medical Board (SMB). Both boards’ concurrence, together with a written consent from the nominated representative, is required before life‑support can be withdrawn.

Oversight Mechanisms

The guidelines assign the Director of Medical Education (DME) A. Vishnu Vardhan, the Director of Secondary Health K.V.N. Chakradhar, and District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) to monitor compliance, ensuring that every case follows the stipulated legal process.

Implications for Healthcare and Society

By providing a clear procedural pathway, the state aims to alleviate the emotional and legal burden on physicians while safeguarding the dignity of patients in their final days. The policy is expected to promote a more robust palliative‑care ecosystem and set a precedent for other Indian states to adopt rights‑based health regulations.