Pithapuram Woman’s Euthanasia Plea Rejected

Rajahmundry: Moved by the plea of a poor woman to grant her permission for Euthanasia, the East Godavari district Collector today directed officials concerned to take immediate steps to provide better treatment to her.

The woman from Pitapuram in the district made a representation to collector Kartikeya Misra, seeking permission for mercy-killing stating that she suffered acute pain due to a cyst in the stomach, during the grievance meeting today. She said she was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 and visited a super speciality hospital in Hyderabad where doctors advised her to undergo a surgery which would cost Rs 4.50 lakh.

As she was not in a position to foot the medical bill she requested for Euthanasia. Responding to her request, the collector directed officials of a trust, 'NTR Vidya Seva', to take steps to provide her treatment or as requested by her husband for medical treatment in Hyderabad. In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court had on March 9 recognised 'living will' made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra said passive euthanasia and advance living will are "permissible."

PTI