Supreme Court of India allows withdrawal of Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration
→Treating physicians must process CANH withdrawal without immediate court approval
Change
The Supreme Court of India authorised withdrawal of Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration (CANH) for eligible patients, recognised Advance Medical Directives (living wills), and streamlined procedures by reducing multi‑board requirements and removing mandatory immediate judicial oversight.
Why it matters
Withdrawal of CANH is lawful only when patient autonomy is demonstrable via a valid Advance Medical Directive (living will) or an authorised clinical assessment and when quality palliative care is available. The court removed mandatory immediate judicial oversight and relaxed the requirement for multiple independent medical boards, making clinical and institutional procedures the primary routes for authorisation.
Implications
- — Treating physicians and hospital ethics committees must immediately obtain and record a valid Advance Medical Directive or certified medical‑board assessment before withdrawing CANH — failure to document this now risks legal challenge and professional liability.
- — Hospital legal and compliance teams must immediately revise institutional policies, consent forms and standard operating procedures to align with the court's procedural framework — failing to update policies exposes institutions to regulatory or legal disputes.
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Source
View on The Hindu