Hippocrates Honor

 HippocratesHonor.

Hippocratic Oath has a Pledge.....
a pledge to pagan deities, a list of positive obligations, a list of negative obligations, and a concluding piety.
Doctors take the Hippocrates Oath on completion of the Medical Graduation.
Service to our patients with dedication and sincerity Prioritizing patient and their needs above everything.
The Hippocrates Honor brings many situations in the lives of Doctors where " Duty is above everything " and " The Show must go on......"
Some incidents I want to share.
Please try not to be judgemental. Nor do I intend to opinionate or infer.
Some life incidents in lives of Doctors when we Doctors have to take a call in challenging situations.
My young one was supposed to talk on stage in school Annual Gathering for the first time  .She was excited and wanted her Mommy to hear her speech.
I was seated behind in a huge crowd of parents.
The moment my little one came on stage,my mobile vibrated.I received call for Emmergency Csection for Fetal Distress.
The heart beat of the in utero fetus had suddenly dropped. Calling someone else would delay.I had to take a Call....
But Hippocrates Oath had to be honored.
Saving lives is every Doctors first priority and responsibility.
I rushed to the Operation Theatre and missed my little one give her first speech on stage.
I totally agree ,my daughter will make many speeches later in her life.
But the " First " Milestone of our child remains our memory.
We miss this.....it remains an unforgettable qualm.
Once, 3 Operations were posted .Mid 2nd Surgery, an OT attendant  entered and whispered into the ears of the Chief Operating Surgeon. He nodded and continued to complete his task.
He excused himself for half hour and returback to complete the 3rd Surgery of the list.I heard muffled sobs in the adjacent Changing Room.The Chief Surgeon had received information that his dear wife who had been admitted in the floor below for last stage of Cancer was in severe distress.But Hippocrates Oath needs to be honored.He completed his Duty of Surgeon and went to bid his last Adieu to the dying wife.He returned back with a heavy heart but finished the next Surgery.
An Obstetrician was entering the Operation Theatre for Csection for Fetal Distress. She receives call from her brother about her Father suffering Heart attack.
Patient on table has got her Antenatal Checkup for 9months.In the process, Patient develops complete trust and faith only on her attending Obstetrician. At this crucial moment in life of Patient, the only person she has faith is her Doctor.
Replacing an unknown Doctor at this juncture puts Patient and relatives under duress.
Mind is troubled about condition of her dear Father.....but in such challenging situations, Hippocrates Oath needs to be honored Obstetrician along with another assistant Obstetrician completed the Csection and made arrangements for her dear Father to be taken care by a Cardiologist with help of her brother.
I can enumerate many many incidents where majority times Doctors have chosen to Honor Hippocrates Oath above their personal Emmergencies.
The heart is heavy with personal grief,mind tensed with personal distress......but Duty is performed, responsibilities towards profession executed without Distraction and complete sincerity and dedication.
I agree that Honoring The Hippocrates Oath is Duty and Responsibility of every Doctor. That's Professionalism....Show must go on unstopped under all and any circumstances.
But when one is carrying out the Duty with true Professonalism against all challenging circumstances......
We Doctors get assaulted, beaten up.....
When Media highlights only  lapses in duty of Doctors......
When People in Power and Position abuse the Doctors just to stress on their Authority and garner votes.....
When Public disrespects and accuses the Doctors due to Ignorance or misinformation.......
Heart feels Remorseful.
Situations where our dear ones needed our presence and support.....we chose  Duty over our Family......
And it doesn't get acknowledged......
Not being there for our Family leaves a permanent qualm.....
And when our work neither gathers gratitude nor recognition and instead we are accused of negligence and assaulted, abused by Society.....
The Entire Medical Fraternity starts doubting themselves and the sincerity towards Profession. This discourages the Doctors in performing their Duty and carrying out Responsibility. Some Doctors give up the Profession in frustration. Such maniac episodes by Society and Media  discourages next generation for opting Medicine as a Profession .
Is Hippocrates Honor worth it?????

Bhagwad Geeta quotes
कर्मण्ये वाधिकास्यः मा फलेषु कदाचनः...
Perform your Duty selflessly with out any expectation or results .....

So relevant for every Professional.
Doctors perform their Duty selflessly without expectation of gratitude or recognition  .
But, this  morally applicable when Doctors get assaulted in Line of Duty by unruly mobs and aggrieved relatives....disgruntled patients.
Is it morally right when people in power and position fir their selfish vested interests disrespect and accuse Doctors on Line of Duty.
Following the Oath to Hippocratic Honor...
Doctors guard their Line of Duty with dedication and sincerity. Honor to Duty above Everything - Physical needs,Health,Personal relationship.
When our Dedication and hardwork towards our Profession gets questioned by Society by false accusations, fake news circulating in Social media and People in Power and Position simply for TRPs and attention.....
Is Hippocratic Honor above our self respect????
Above our physical and mental health.
Today,so many Doctors face violence and assault at some point of time in their professional life.
The ever hanging fear of being attacked or accused while performing Line of Duty is giving rise to high incidence of Mental disorders - Anxiety, Depression, Suicide- amongst young Doctors.
The Stress of Profession is leading to Medical conditions- Hypertension, Diabetes,IschaemicHeart Disease- in Doctors at 25 to 35 yrs of age also.
Society needs to change their attitude and outlook towards Doctors.
A safe and healthy environment is necessary for every Doctor to perform Duty and Honor the Hippocratic Oath.
Let's Say No To Violence against Doctors.
Let's save our Doctors for better Health Care today and tomorrow.

I hope my earnest appeal through my Blog to public touches many hearts.
Salute to Dhanvantri...
Ever towards Hippocratic Honor.

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali.
Anaesthesiologist
Hubli.