India plans to replace Hippocratic Oath with pledge in the name of ancient sage Charaka

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New Delhi: The National Medical Commission is planning to replace the sacred Hippocratic Oath at least during the start of the professional education with an oath in the name of Charaka, the Father of the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda.

As per the custom, MBBS students take the solemn Hippocratic Oath during the commencement and end of the medical education, i.e.' during the white coat ceremony marking the beginning of the course and on the convocation day after they complete the studies.

The higher authorities would reportedly give the approval soon for the Maharshi Charak Shapath (oath in the name of sage Charaka). Medical students mandatorily has to take this pledge at the beginning, but it is not clear whether the students need to take the new oath during their passing–out ceremony too.

The new oath would be soon published on the website of the medical commission.

Hippocratic Oath is an ethical code for fresh medical graduates. It is believed to have been written by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates.

Acharya Charaka, believed to have be born in 300 BC in Kashmir, is revered as a great physician of ancient India for contributions to Ayurveda, the ancient India system of medicine.  

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