Living Will Information Desk inaugurated at Alappuzha MCH

A Living Will Information Desk, which aims at empowering people to choose their end-of-life medical preferences, has been opened at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Alappuzha. It was inaugurated by palliative care expert M.R. Rajagopal on Wednesday (July 30).

Dr. Rajagopal emphasised the importance of raising public awareness of the concept of living wills and said that a living will could not be implemented without the consent of the patient’s family. He also noted that a compassionate touch and the presence of family members could bring about positive changes in patients.

The Living Will Information Desk, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the district, functions under the Comprehensive Palliative Care Clinic set up at the MCH under the Department of Anaesthesiology. Forms and guidelines for filling out a living will are available at the desk, which operates from Monday to Friday.

A living will is a document in which persons record their medical treatment preferences in advance, for situations where they may be unable to make decisions themselves such as during terminal illness or critical condition. It outlines the individual’s choices regarding end-of-life care. Through this document, one can pre-decide whether or not to undergo life-sustaining treatments like ventilation or dialysis, and also express wishes related to organ donation and funeral arrangements.

Anyone above 18 years of age can sign a living will. After consulting with family members, the signed document is attested by a gazetted officer and kept under the custody of the local self-government institution, as per procedure.

Palliative care

Besides the Living Will Information Desk, outpatient services for patients requiring palliative care will be available at Comprehensive Palliative Care Clinic every Saturday from 9.30 a.m.

Alappuzha Government Medical College Principal B. Padmakumar presided.