P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre has introduced India’s first Living Will Clinic—a significant step toward empowering individuals to take charge of their future healthcare decisions. This innovative clinic helps people articulate and legally document their treatment preferences through a Living Will, ensuring their choices are respected even if they are unable to communicate them later during medical treatment.
Understanding the Living Will
A Living Will, also known as an advance medical directive, is a legal document. It allows individuals to outline their preferred course of medical treatment during serious or unexpected health events. As part of the broader framework of advance care planning, it encourages individuals to reflect on their values, record treatment preferences, appoint a trusted medical power of attorney, and engage in meaningful conversations with their families.
As per the press release, the Living Will Clinic at P.D. Hinduja Hospital provides guidance through this process—offering clear information, compassionate support, and the assurance to make well-informed decisions. It also reduces the emotional burden on families during difficult medical situations by ensuring that the patient’s wishes are known in advance.
Empowering Patients with Dignity and Clarity
Mr. Gautam Khanna, CEO of P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, highlighted the purpose behind this initiative:
“At P.D. Hinduja Hospital, we believe healthcare should go beyond treatment and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their future. This clinic helps them do so with dignity and clarity. It reflects our ongoing commitment to a compassionate, ethical, and forward-thinking healthcare system.”
Bridging Gaps in Medical Decision-Making
Dr. Roop Gursahani, Section Head of Neurology at the hospital, emphasized the current gap in the system:
“Our healthcare system often faces situations where patients cannot communicate their wishes, leaving families to make uncertain and emotionally difficult choices. The Living Will Clinic addresses this by guiding individuals to document their preferences and appoint a trusted decision-maker in advance.”
Centering Care Around Individual Values
Dr. Smriti Khanna, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, further explained the personal impact of advance care planning:
“End-of-life conversations are challenging but vital. A living will lies at the heart of personalised medicine—it gives individuals space to define what quality of life means to them. Our clinic helps people make these decisions with sensitivity, ensuring their beliefs, comfort, and values remain central to any care they may receive.”
Pioneering Advance Care Planning in India
The launch of the Living Will Clinic marks a landmark moment for structured advance care planning in India. The clinic equips individuals with the right knowledge and tools. This helps reduce uncertainty during medical crises and ensures care aligns with each person’s unique values and preferences.
P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre continues to champion progressive healthcare models. These place patient preparedness and welfare at the core of treatment.