Goa became the first state in the country to implement living wills

Goa: Goa is the first state in the country to implement the Living Will. During a program, Justice MS Sonak of the Bombay High Court approved the execution of the ‘Will for Care at the End of Life’, often known as the Living Will. Justice MS Sonak has been the first judge to implement the Living Will.

What is a Living Will?

On March 9, 2018, the Supreme Court recognized the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right. Following that, the ground was paved for states to establish living wills. Actually, a living will is a document in which a person specifies the type of treatment he wants to get in the future in the event of serious sickness. If a person is unable to make decisions during a serious illness, a decision about the patient’s treatment is made using a pre-prepared living will.

Dr. Sandesh Chodankar and Dinesh Shetty testified during the program, which was held on the premises of the Goa High Court. Dr. Medha Salkar, Chief Medical Officer, Directorate of Services, Goa, participated in the program as a gazetted officer. During this time, Justice Sonak thanked all stakeholders for establishing a living will in the state. Justice Sonak urged individuals to appreciate the significance of living wills and make informed decisions. The Indian Medical Association’s Goa branch and the Goa State Legal Service Authority co-organized the program.