A Christian family in the United Kingdom is raising their voices against the tragic death of their teenage daughter, Sudiksha. The family alleges the National Health Service (NHS) and the courts denied her the right to seek potentially life-saving treatments abroad.

Sudiksha was diagnosed with a rare Mitochondrial disease that led to muscle weakness, hearing loss, and kidney damage. Despite her deteriorating health, she remained fully conscious and capable of communication.

She expressed her desire to fight for her life, stating that she would rather “die trying to live.”

However, her plea fell on deaf ears as the NHS and the courts refused to allow her to seek specialist treatment abroad. The family was even denied the right to disclose her name publicly. The court-ordered anonymity extended to the health institution and doctors involved in her case, effectively shielding them from public scrutiny.

The family’s ordeal didn’t end there. They were forced to exhaust their savings on legal fees in a desperate attempt to prevent the NHS from ending Sudiksha’s life. Despite their efforts, the NHS placed her on palliative care following a court ruling, and she tragically succumbed to kidney failure.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Mrs. Justice Roberts ruled that Sudiksha lacked the capacity to make decisions about her treatment. This judgment came after NHS lawyers argued that Sudiksha was ‘delusional’ for disagreeing with the hospital’s view that her condition was hopeless.

This ruling was made despite evidence provided by two psychiatrists who testified to the contrary.

This case bears striking similarities to those of Charlie Gard, Alfie Evans, and Archie Battersbee, where the NHS sought the Court of Protection’s authorization to remove life-saving medical treatment.

Andrea Williams, chief of the Christian Legal Center, has called for an urgent overhaul of how critical care decisions are made in the NHS and the courts.

The family is now seeking justice for Sudiksha and others in her situation. They have requested the courts to disclose the names of the hospital, the hospital trust, and the clinicians involved in their daughter’s case.

Their fight continues, serving as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in healthcare decisions.

This tragic story underscores the importance of patient autonomy and the right to seek treatment, even when the odds seem insurmountable. It serves as a call to action for all of us to ensure such heartbreaking incidents do not recur.