Every year, July 1 is celebrated as National Doctors’ Day by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The day is observed to commemorate the birth and death anniversary of former Bengal’s Chief Minister Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. The National Doctor’s Day is to observed to pay heed towards the medical doctors’ role and responsibilities in serving lives.
The day is supposed to recognise their functions and obligations. The day is dedicated to all the doctors and healthcare workers who have been serving the people by risking their lives. However, during the COVID19 Pandemic, the day holds a special significance considering the fact how our doctors and physicians are working round the clock to help country fight the health crisis. The day was first observed in 1991 in honour of the former Bengal’s Chief Minister Dr BC Roy to recognise his contribution to serving humanity. Dr Roy was a great doctor who made an enormous contribution to the medical field. He was born on July 1, 1882, and died on a similar date in 1962. He was also conferred with the honour of Bharat Ratna, on February 4, 1961. He played a significant role in establishing medical institutions like Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution (college), Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital and the Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for women and children. He was also called the first medical consultant in the subcontinent of India who towered over his contemporaries in several fields by British Medical journal.
Doctor’s Day is celebrated on different dates across the world. First time the Doctor’s Day was observed in March 1933 in the US state of Georgia and was celebrated by sending a card to the physicians and offering flowers on the graves of doctors who have passed away.
