Analysis of selected veterinary Hippocratic Oaths in Africa

Abstract

Veterinary Hippocratic oaths are important tools that express values and commitments to the profession, public and animals. They aide translation of these commitments and values into practice. The contents of these oaths, and as a consequence the commitments expressed in them, are influenced by the economic, social and political pressures at the time of drafting. Oaths may therefore not always be representative of the ideals in current context under which they are used and meant to serve. The context of the modern veterinary profession in Africa has changed ever since its establishment in the colonial times. On this basis, a descriptive case study was carried out to analyse the contents of the veterinary oaths from 6 selected African countries. The purpose of this research was to first to characterize their contents and secondly ascertain the inclusion of current developments in the veterinary profession. The oaths were obtained by means of email and analyzed using a check list. Analysis revealed that content of all the oaths are mainly ethical values and obligations to three parties; the veterinary profession, the public and the animal. The study also found out that the current developments of One Health and animal welfare were under represented, with only 2 oaths out of the 5 included these components. On this basis better representation and emphasis of these components in these oaths is recommended to aide their translation into practice.