Being a doctor is a noble profession. Doctors keep on working round the clock in spite of their own commitments to ensure that patients get the best medical attention and care. Hence, to honor the commitments and the work done by all the doctors, National Doctor's Day is observed in India. 

On 1st of July every year, India celebrates National Doctor's Day, on this day doctors across the country, are honored for their relentless service.

This day is like a tribute to all medical and healthcare professionals who have attended to patients and did their bit for the society irrespective of all odds. 

The National Doctor's Day is celebrated in the memory of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a former Chief Minister of West Bengal and a well-known physician. He was born on July 1, 1882, and coincidently, died on the same date in 1962 at the age of 80 years. 

Dr. Bidhan was honored with the country’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna award, on February 4, 1961. In 1991, India started celebrating the National Doctor's Day in honor of Dr. Bidhan as a great physician. 

Doctor’s Day is observed on different dates across the world like in the United States (USA) it is observed on 30th March, In Iran, it is observed on 23rd August and in Cuba on 3rd December. 

While this year, due to the coronavirus, it has been particularly hard on medical professionals. The hard work and dedication of the doctors since the start of the pandemic has been praiseworthy. Hence, this day offers an opportunity to express gratitude towards doctors for their round the clock service they offer. The theme of this year's Doctors Day is "Lessen the mortality of COVID-19". National doctor's day 2020 tries to thank all doctors and medical professionals for their continuous service for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

National Doctor's Day 2020

In India, this day is organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). According to IMA, Doctor's Day of 2020 is of special importance. Every member of IMA and the local branch take a lead in the local area and bring about a change in the current situation (COVID-19 pandemic). Doctors Day of 2020 is dedicated to the innumerable doctors who are serving during this epidemic in the primary and secondary care setups as well as the dedicated COVID care hospitals. Wherever one is, it is a time that every single effort counts. With the widespread of coronavirus, National Doctor's Day celebration did not include face to face meetings and celebrations. State-level webinars and virtual meetings were done over the video conference to acknowledge the efforts of each doctor and medical practitioners.

Our humble medics working round the clock during COVID-19 pandemic

Doctors and nurses and other healthcare providers are at the frontline of this deadly pandemic, and if they do not have proper equipment they are putting their lives at risk. When the pandemic started, not many countries were ready to face it and in India, there was a shortage of not only personal protection equipment but doctors as well. Ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, apart from prayers, people have been reaching out more and more to the doctors as well. And as the months go by and cases of infection rise up, doctors have been working round the clock to ensure that patients get the best medical care. These doctors have been putting their own lives at risk and sacrificing family life to ensure the safety of their fellow Indians. 

According to a source, there were reports that some doctors were not getting their salaries and many others faced salary cuts. This scenario is disheartening, to say the least, that on top of having to deal with unwell people, risky infection and their livelihoods.

Along with the shortage in medical workers, most have had to do double and triple shifts and often for 24 hours or more, wearing their protective gear the whole time which as we have seen pictures, wearing the complete PPE suits is not an easy task. They miss out on family life due to the time they have to spend in hospitals. And for some, going home means saying hello to their wife or children from the gate so as to prevent their family from catching the infection. So, we as civilians need to remember that they are human beings just like everyone else.

 Let’s look at some wise and insightful quotes over the years

• "The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." - Thomas Edison
• "To me, there are only 5 real jobs in America: Police Officers, Teachers, Firefighters, Doctors, and the Military Service." -Charles Barkley
• "Our profession is the only one which works unceasingly to annihilate itself." -Martin H. Fischer
• "People pay the doctor for his trouble; for his kindness, they still remain in his debt." -Seneca
• "Whenever a doctor cannot do good, he must be kept from doing harm." -Hippocrates
• "The two best physicians of them all -- Dr. Laughter and Dr. Sleep." -Gregory Dean Jr
• "Medicines cure diseases, but only doctors can cure patients." -Carl Jung
• "Health is hearty, health is harmony, health is happiness." -Amit Kalantri
• "The best doctor gives the least medicines." -Benjamin Franklin
• “Happy Doctor’s Day to all the doctors. Thank you for all your efforts and contribution.
  You all are a true savior"
• "Thank you, doctors, for always putting your patients first and giving then the gift health.
  You all are a true warrior.”