Sundaram Medical Foundation and Pallium India organised a workshop on advance care planning and living wills on Saturday as part of Forum 2026. Experts highlighted the need to respect patient dignity and implement the right to die with dignity.
The event featured a panel discussion with contributions from several specialists. Shireen Yarchu of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy noted that India ranks among the worst countries for end-of-life care due to limited palliative services and reluctance to discuss death. Rituparna Padhy from the same organisation stressed the challenges in implementing the right to die with dignity at the state level. Roop Gursahani, a neurology consultant, called for all stakeholders to support the initiative. Meenakshi V.V. from the Cancer Institute in Adyar said palliative care teams are well positioned to introduce advance care planning to patients with life-limiting conditions. Susovan Mitra of Sundaram Medical Foundation emphasised starting palliative care early and involving families in decisions. Manickavasagan, also from the foundation, explained that a living will provides clear instructions for families. Vijaya Bharathi Rangarajan outlined related support programmes including CANSTOP and the Dear Akka digital health service.
