The Health of Medicine

Maharishi Charaka, the ancient Indian physician and scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of Ayurveda, pronounced with clarity the ethics of medical profession.

- TDG NETWORK

It is famously known as the Charaka Shapath, wherein he puts forth as follows:

As a physician:

• I shall always use my knowledge for the welfare of mankind

• I shall always be ready to serve patients, even if I am extremely busy and tired

• I shall not harm any patient for the sake of monetary or selfish gains

• I shall not entertain a desire for pleasure, greed or wealth

• Immorality shall not emerge even in my thoughts

• I shall not divulge the confidentiality that is required to be kept

His ideology is the ideal of healthcare in ancient India. The key words from the above Shapath could be - 1welfare of all, 2service above self, 3selfishness will not supersede service, 4monetary gains will take a backseat, 5no place for greed and pleasure, and 6immoral thoughts have no space.

In fact, Maharishi Charaka began the Shapath with ethics for medical students, even before he elucidated the ethics for the medical professionals, when he said:

During the period of my study: