Charak Shapath, Hippocratic Oath found no place in NMC draft regulation

After controversy over NMC's proposal to replace the Hippocratic oath with the Charak Shapath, the new NMC draft regulation has not mentioned anything about them, instead, it talks about 'The Physician's Pledge'.

Earlier, the National Medical Commission (NMC) had proposed replacing the Hippocratic oath with the Charak Shapath. However, it triggered a huge controversy around it and even the dean of the Madurai Medical College, Dr A Rathinavel was temporarily removed from his post over MBBS students of the college taking ‘Maharshi Charak Shapath’. He was later reinstated.

The new NMC draft regulations put in the public domain mentions nothing about either the Hippocratic oath or the Charak Shapath, instead, it talks about the 'The Physician's Pledge'.

The controversy started after the undergraduate medical education board (UGMEB) of the NMC, during the February meeting, proposed to replace the Hippocratic oath with Charak Shapath. 

The Physician's Pledge 

It is also known as the Declaration of Geneva 2017. Following is the pledge: AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to dedicate my life to the service of humanity; THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration; I WILL RESPECT the autonomy and dignity of my patient; I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life; I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient; I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;

8. I WILL PRACTISE my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice; I WILL FOSTER the honour and noble traditions of the medical profession; I WILL GIVE to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due; I WILL SHARE my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of healthcare; I WILL ATTEND TO my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard; I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely, and upon my honour.

Read more:

• Charak Shapath row: Madurai college's dean reinstated
• Charak Shapath row in TN: Madurai MBBS students claim they followed NMC guidelines