Robin Williams Suicide_Depression
A man walks past a mural depicting late actor Robin Williams in Belgrade, August 13, 2014. The mural was drawn on a building in downtown Belgrade by an unknown artist on Tuesday. Oscar-winning actor and groundbreaking comedian Williams hanged himself with a belt in his Northern California home after he had sought treatment for depression, a coroner said on Tuesday, based on preliminary findings. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Controversial euthanasia supporter Dr. Philip Nitschke has agreed to stop providing suicide advice to people wanting to end their lives. The decision came soon after the Medical Board of Australia imposed 25 strict conditions on Nitschke in exchange for his continued practice as a medical professional.

The campaigner for voluntary euthanasia has agreed to all the 25 conditions imposed by the Medical Board of Australia so that he is able to practise as a doctor in the Northern Territory. The Medical Board of Australia put an end to the long-running investigation on Monday by declaring Nitschke's position as head of the voluntary euthanasia group “Exit International” as invalid.

The Guardian reports that Nitschke's registration was cancelled by the medical board in 2014 after he allegedly advised a depressed 45-year-old but otherwise healthy man for taking his own life. However, the Supreme Court ruled in the favour of the euthanasia supporter, which allowed him to practice again in the Northern Territory.

The conditions imposed by the medical board restrict Nitschke from offering any advice related to euthanasia or suicide to any member of the public. The doctor has also been banned from prescribing, administering or supplying benzodiazepines, opiates or barbiturates to any patients without being authorised to do so in writing by a palliative care doctor.

Nitschke's wife, Dr. Fiona Stewart has reportedly replaced him as Exit International’s director. News.com.au reports that Stewart will continue to hold the workshops scheduled in November, which were otherwise supposed to be run by her husband.

“As I am a public health sociologist and not a medical doctor, I am not under the jurisdiction of the Medical Board. As long as I remain within Australian law, I am free to continue Philip’s message and his pioneering work,” said Dr. Stewart, in a statement.

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