National Doctors’ Day was celebrated, like every year, across the country on July 1. It is celebrated in honour of the birth and death anniversary of the great physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. This day actually serves to show appreciation and gratitude to all those who have tirelessly worked for the health of people.
Doctors have always played an essential role in society but for the last two years, when the world was grappling with COVID-19 pandemic, people appreciated the roles of doctors and other healthcare professionals more for standing at the forefront day and night in the fight against the pandemic.
Responding to this public health emergency and successfully minimizing its impact required every health resource to be leveraged. Amid this crisis, the role of doctors has been immense. During the pandemic, some of them faced acts of violence and as a consequence severely hindered the response. Let us not forget that some even faced stigma as they were dubbed as vectors of contagion. Some were assaulted also. Others were denied even transport while commuting to work. At times, their entire families faced eviction, not only from rented accommodations but even from their homes. Since then, things have changed for the better as far as attacks are concerned as well as the covid-19 situation. However, it is not the case that the doctors and other covid warriors are altogether safe. They continue to put their life on the line. The covid-19 can be contracted by them as much as any ordinary individual.
The administration rightly, from time to time, lauded the pivotal role played by the doctors in clinical management of patients. Truly, the doctors have introduced confidence and strength through their perseverance and unwavering commitment in the midst of unprecedented reality while continuing to make the world waware about the dynamics of the novel virus by enriching research and advancing medical knowledge to facilitate the emergence of a worldwide response to the pandemic.
Doctor’s Day is also an opportunity to thank all the heroes in the medical fraternity for their selfless contributions. One also hopes that the government ensures better protection along with availability of all that they need to ward off against the virus and other future challenges.
There is also need to encourage more young people to pursue this noble profession, as well as to strengthen healthcare education so that competent medical professionals come to the forefront and serve humanity.