On end-of-life care, discourse on bodily autonomy, HPV vaccination, climate and health, emerging research, and more
Some weeks in health pass quietly.This week was definitely not one of them.Debates around the boundaries of medicine, law and personal autonomy took centre stage, and after a significant ruling by the Supreme Court of India, end-of-life care discourse has been once again brought into national conversation.
In the case of Harish Rana v.Union of India, the Court allowed the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment of a 32-year-old man who had remained in a long-term paralysed, unresponsive condition following a severe brain injury more than a decade ago.The judgment builds on the framework laid down in Common Cause v.Union of India, which recognise a patient’s right to die with dignity and permitted withdrawal of life support under carefully defined safeguards.
Reporting on the verdict, Krishnadas Rajagopal writes that the Court reaffirmed that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution also encompasses dignity at the end of life .
Other accompanying reports examine why the Court allowed this, and the legal distinction between active and passive euthanasia , also revisiting the circumstances of the Harish Rana case.In an opinion column, Satvik Varma reflects on the broader constitutional meaning of the right to die with dignity .
Clinicians say such cases highlight the complex realities of modern critical care, where medical technology can sustain bodily functions even when meaningful recovery becomes unlikely.
Decisions about withdrawing life-sustaining treatment often require careful evaluation by medical boards, along with conversations between doctors and families, and are typically accompanied by palliative care measures aimed at preserving dignity in the final stages of life.
Closely linked to this conversation is the concept of advance medical directives, or ‘living wills ;.Writing on the subject, Rajeev Jayadevan explains why documenting treatment preferences in advance can help families and clinicians navigate difficult decisions when patients are no longer able to communicate their wishes.
Questions about the relationship between public health policy and bodily autonomy also surfaced in as another major concern before the Supreme Court of India this week.The Centre defended existing rules restricting blood donation by transgender persons , men who have sex with men and sex workers, stating that the eligibility criteria are based on safety considerations within the blood donation system.
For years, rights groups have challenged such blanket exclusions , as these stigmatise communities.The World Health Organization recommends that all donated blood be screened for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis before it is cleared for transfusion.When such safeguards are already in place, donor eligibility frameworks can increasingly move towards risk-based screening rather than blanket exclusions tied to identity ensuring both the safety of the blood supply and respect for the autonomy and dignity of potential donors.Advocates also point out that modern blood transfusion systems already rely on multiple safeguards, including pre-donation health questionnaires, medical screening and mandatory laboratory testing of each donated unit.Community organisations and peer networks have also played a crucial role in building awareness, encouraging safe donation practices and bridging trust between health systems and marginalised groups.
In a related development on concerns around continuity of care, TB survivors have sought government clarification on the uninterrupted availability of medicines and diagnostic supplies amid ongoing global conflict.
Other aspects of healthcare governance are also in discussuon, The Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to frame a no-fault compensation policy for serious adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination, bringing renewed attention to vaccine injury compensation systems and their role in sustaining public trust in immunisation programmes.Our editorial examines why such compensation mechanisms are an important component of large-scale public health initiatives.
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Elsewhere, the Court declined a plea to make nucleic acid testing mandatory at blood banks, while also expressing reservations about a nationwide policy on paid menstrual pain leave .We reported developments pointing to the continuing questions around women’s health considerations an ongoing conversation that also finds resonance in A.S.Jayanth ’s piece on why nurses in Kerala’s private hospitals went on strike , stressing on how issues of care, labour, and equity remain closely intertwined.
Staying on women’s health, some pieces this week also draw attention to overlooked aspects of gender and reproductive health.Dr.
Rohit Raghunath Ranade argues that conversations around the human papillomavirus vaccine often focus primarily on girls, overlooking the role of men in HPV transmission and prevention .We also reported statewise updates on HPV rollout– such as Tamil Nadu’s HPV vaccination drive has recorded more than 80% coverage in four districts
Research developments from around the world also feature this week.Studies suggest that modulating the gut microbiome may help reverse age-related memory decline , while another study indicates that proteins in egg whites may offer a scalable way to remove persistent forever chemicals from the body.Research also suggests that physical activity aligned with climate-friendly behaviour such as walking or cycling instead of driving may deliver combined benefits for both personal health and the environment.
This week’s tailpiece is the first in our new series on women whose contributions to science received delayed recognition.
Ramya Kannan revisits the story of Rosalind Franklin , whose crucial photograph helped reveal the structure of DNA, even though her role was long overlooked.
Also watch this week’s Health Wrap : we discuss developments ranging from the HPV vaccination rollout to climate change and metabolic diseases.
Our list of explainers continues to grow.Do read below:
Jacob Koshy writes on India roots for benefits system at pandemic agreement talks.
reports that p and that the
Dr.Tejasvi Sheshadri writes on reversing childhood obesity before the age of 10 could significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Ananya Ganapathy reports on research into suprabodies as a potential new approach to disease.
Serena Josephine M .writes about how a new nanomedicine-based gel from BITS Pilani shows encouraging preclinical results for rheumatoid arthritis.
I write on experts calling attention to the health and developmental impact of overbite and underbite , what experts say about the peptide therapy trend and a study on how environmental and social shifts may be driving global decline in youth mind health.
Sweta Gupta explores who the “Blue Zone” people are and what scientists believe lies behind their exceptional longevity .
Divya Gandhi examines research suggesting that antibiotics can leave a long-term footprint on the gut microbiome.
Dr.
Saumya Sharma explores how hormonal transitions during menopause can affect vision , an area that remains relatively under-recognised in clinical discussions.
Dr.Manish De writes about how radiofrequency ablation is helping patients manage chronic pain beyond conventional medication and surgery.
Dr.Visvanathan K.explains how ultra-early epilepsy surgeries are offering new hope to children with drug-resistant seizures.
Dr.Ramesh Babu Srinivasan highlights advances in minimally invasive procedures in paediatric urology .
Dr.Dinesh Khullar , Dr.Abraham Oomman on Redefining hyperkalaemia care with emerging therapies.
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Published – March 17, 2026 04:26 pm IST
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