In Focus by The Hindu How do you make a living will?
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Mar 27, 2026 Dr M R Rajagopal, palliative care leader and policy advocate, explains living wills and advanced medical directives. He outlines legal basics and why directives restore dignity in end‑of‑life care. He discusses ICU practices that can prolong suffering and practical steps for drafting and discussing your directive with family and medical proxies.
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What A Living Will Actually Is
- A living will (advanced medical directive) is a plain document stating end-of-life care wishes and naming healthcare proxies.
- It must be countersigned by a gazetted officer in presence of two witnesses to be legally valid and guide the treating team.
ICUs Have Shifted From Rescue To Prolonged Dying
- Intensive care practice shifted to prolonged machine-supported dying rather than rescuing curable patients, producing ethically questionable outcomes.
- Rajagopal calls this an obscene violation where patients are hooked to multiple tubes and families are told they cannot stop artificial support.
Pick Practical Trustworthy Healthcare Proxies
- Name three trusted healthcare proxies who understand your wishes and are likely to be available locally.
- Avoid naming only similarly aged spouses; choose proxies who consent and can act when you're incapacitated.