Home / Health / Karnataka Leads India in Legalizing Advance Medical Directives
Karnataka Leads India in Legalizing Advance Medical Directives
23 Aug
Summary
- Karnataka first state to implement Supreme Court order on legalized will and AMD
- Health Minister admits lack of data on AMD usage, calls for hospital education
- Experts say policies need better implementation, especially in government hospitals
As of August 2025, Karnataka has become the first state in India to implement the Supreme Court's order on legalizing will and Advanced Medical Directive (AMD). The AMD allows a person of sound mind to make end-of-life medical decisions in advance.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that the process not only eases the suffering of the dying but also helps their family and friends find closure. However, the Minister admitted that there is little data on how many people are using the AMD or have created one. He welcomed suggestions on how to better implement and promote the policy.
Experts speaking at a recent "Death Literature Festival" in Bangalore noted that while Karnataka has made progress in introducing palliative care and AMD policies, the implementation needs to be strengthened, especially in government hospitals. They emphasized the need to educate hospitals on the new laws and ensure they are properly advising patients.
Overall, Karnataka's pioneering efforts to legalize AMD are a positive step, but challenges remain in ensuring widespread adoption and effective implementation of the policy across the state's healthcare system.
