Hippocrates or Hypocrites

Over half a dozen people have died so far in last four days in Uttar Pradesh. It hardly makes any news in such a vast and populous state where hundreds die in road accidents or due to hunger or because of some disease and multiple of it are born at the same time. But what has made these deaths worth mentioning is the fact that these people lost their lives because of the apathy of the doctors.

The junior doctors of prominent government medical colleges in different cities, including Lucknow and Kanpur, have put down their stethoscopes and are demanding the government to increase their pay and other facilities.. All their demands are pertaining to money and pay. The patients have been left on the mercy of the Gods. The hospitals in this state are mostly run by the junior doctors and interns as there is dearth of senior doctors. Consequently, while these junior doctors are striking work the poor and needy are dying untimely deaths.

The most unfortunate thing is that it is not happening for the first time. The doctors of the state have adopted this as a routine tactic - just like a spoilt brat, every time they want something from the government, they resort to strike.

Everyone needs money - no doubts. But we do not start playing with lives of people as there are some ethics which we must follow as humans and more so as professionals.

This goes strongly in case of doctors who before starting their practice go through the age old Hippocratic oath -- ``I swear by Apollo............. If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot."

Hippocrates was a Greek physician born in 460 BC to become to be known as the founder of medicine and was regarded as the greatest physician of his time. While teaching medicine, he developed an Oath of Medical Ethics for physicians to follow. This Oath is taken by physicians today as they begin their medical practice.

The oath was simplied in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University, which is now being used all across the globe by passing out doctors. A part of this oath reads --
``I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help''.

Over the years this oath has lost its meaning and its gravity. They are mere words for young graduates. The doctors of today are marching forward leaving the values of Hippocrates behind to adopt the values of 21st century and becoming Hypocrites.

Isn't it the time for them to introspect. It is their right to demand and hold protests - but at what cost? Certainly not at the cost of the patients!

Evolve other ways to show your anger and put forward your demands. But in no case you should put down your stethoscope and deny your services to those who depend on you, whose lives depend on you. Think about their economic crisis, think about their children or parents, think about those families, which consider you not next to God but God !!!