Oath of the doctor of Ukraine

Approved by
the Decree from President of Ukraine
dd. 15, June, 1992, No 349

Having acquired the profession of a doctor and realising the importance of the responsibilities that are placed upon me, in the presence of my teachers and colleagues, I solemnly swear:

• to dedicate all my knowledge, strength, and skill to the cause of healthcare and improving human health, to the treatment and prevention of diseases, and to provide medical assistance to all who need it;
• to always be guided in my actions and thoughts by the principles of universal morality, to be selfless and compassionate towards the sick, to acknowledge my mistakes, and to continue the noble traditions of world medicine;
• to preserve medical confidentiality, not to use it to harm people;
• to adhere to professional ethics rules, not to conceal the truth if it does not harm the patient;
• to constantly deepen and improve my knowledge and skills, and in case of necessity, never to refuse to seek help from colleagues and to be fair to them;
• to contribute by my own example to the upbringing of physically and morally healthy generations, to promote high ideals of mercy, love, harmony, and mutual respect among people.

I pledge to remain faithful to this Oath throughout my entire life.

The text of the Hippocratic Oath (c. 400 BC) provided below is a translation from Greek by Francis Adams (1849). It is considered a classical version and differs from contemporary versions, which are reviewed and revised frequently to fit with changes in modern medical practice.

I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation—to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this Art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons labouring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!