SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb 14: For the first time in the history of medical colleges, the students of the 1st MBBS professional course were administered the ‘Charak Oath’ instead of the Hippocratic Oath on the first day of their classes, which began on Monday morning (February 14).
Dr. Arun Kumar, the Director of Health and Medical Education of Jharkhand, said that as per the directive of the National Medical Commission (NMC), classes for 1st MBBS professional course have started in all five medical colleges of the state with ‘Charak Oath.’
Maharshi Charak, the great Ayurvedacharya, was one of the main contributors to Ayurveda treatment developed in ancient India. Till last year, the MBBS students of medical colleges in the state as well as in the country were administered the oath in the name of ancient Greek physician Hippocrate on the first day of the institution.
“From this academic session, the medical colleges across the country have been directed by the NMC to administer the oath in the name of Ayurvedacharya in place of Hippocrate,” said Dr. Arun Kumar.
He further said that the oath is significant as it upholds the ethical principles of medical professionals. So, it is administered on the first day of the 1st MBBS professional course.
Classes started under CCTV camera surveillance
The classes in all medical colleges started under CCTV camera lenses and surveillance of an anti-ragging committee comprising senior professors of the respective institution.
Phulo Jhanu Murmu Medical College Hospital (PJMMCH) Dumka has put up posters on walls of the institution about the ragging and has also issued a helpline number for students if they feel any offense in this regard.
“The college management has already taken an undertaking from students last year on the ragging issue. Despite that, the committee and college administration are monitoring the campus,” said Principal Dr. Arun Kumar.
Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) Dhanbad management has installed 18 CCTV cameras in hostels and at different centre points on the campus for checking anti-ragging activities.
“Besides it, members of the anti-ragging committee are also keeping a close eye on the activities of students,” said Principal Dr. Jyoti Ranjan Prasad.
MediniraI Medical College Hospital (MMCH) Palamu Principal Dr. Shailendra Kumar said that the institution has made elaborate arrangements for avoiding any unlawful activity on the campus so that new students attend classes without any apprehension.
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) Jamshedpur and Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) Hazaribagh have also constituted an anti-ragging committee to keep a watch on activities on the campus.