Socio-spritual and Medical Ethics in Ayurveda: Its Relevence in Current Community Based Primary Health Care*

Background : India has rich unsurpassed heritage and excellence in every field. Following our concepts of bhootdaya, we can achieve our goal of positive health which is not just disease free body but healthy mind, soul and society as well. Objective: The main objective is to advocate and convince that medical ethics is not a new concept given by cosmopolitan / conventional medicine but its vivid description is already available in all ancient texts of Ayurveda. We need to imbibe those values, set of traditions and work culture to further develop, publisize and practice the ancient Indian medical ethics and thus revive the glory of Ayurveda. Material & Methods: We collected references from major Ayurvedic texts where the Vaidya is considered most important of the chatushpaad of 1, Vaidya (Physician); 2. Upasthata (Nurseing Attandant); 3. Dravya (Medicine) and 4. Rogi (Patient). The social behavior, mentality and morals of a vaidya (Physician) are explained in Ayurveda and malpractise is also explained their prevension is advocated. Physician was presented as a spiritual leader with impeccable integrity who worked for health of society without bothering about personal gains. Monetary benefit didn’t drive him to provide service to society but attainment of Dharma and a goal of universal welfare did. Multi factorial aspects of medical ethics related to religion and society are also mentioned in Ayurveda.Conclusion: Medical ethics have been an integral part of Ayurveda and its incorporation in present day medical teaching and clinical practice will yield great results. The noble profession of Physician will be more respected if our time old principles of Ayurveda including Medical Ethics are followed in today’s era too.