I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.
I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
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 prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
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.
Enclosed above is the medical Hippocratic oath upon which every medical personnel swears but despite this, two doctors and nurses decided out of their incompetence to use the amputated leg of a patient as pillow.
Upon investigation, Indian authorities have suspended two doctors and nurses who used the amputated leg of 28-year-old Ghanshyam who was seriously injured in a bus accident as pillow.
The shocking case of medical apathy came to light when a local TV channel aired the viral video, showing the patient on a stretcher with the amputated leg being used as a headrest. Taking note of the medical ordeal that the patient went through, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma who spoke to newsmen, assured strict action against those found guilty.
Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College principal Sadhna Kaushik, disclosed that a committee has been set up to look into the matter and those at fault will be subjected to strict punishment.
“He (patient) was given immediate medical aid. The doctor looked for something to raise his head. Patient’s attendant used the leg for the same. We’ve set up a committee. Strict action will be taken if our staff is found to be at fault” he told AFP.
It was gathered that the school bus with students on-board had an accident, after the bus driver lost control when a herd of stray cattle suddenly came in front of the bus. In the accident, the left leg of the victim met severe injuries. The doctors amputated his leg to prevent the infection from spreading after he was brought to the hospital.
His relatives told the local NDTV news network that hospital staff ignored their requests that Ghanshyam, who goes by one name, be given a pillow.
“When we reached the hospital, we saw his leg being used as a headrest,” Janaki Prasad, a relative, told NDTV.
“I repeatedly asked the doctors to intervene but they refused,” Prasad added, saying Ghanshyam’s relatives eventually bought a pillow from a local market.
