National Doctors Day: Honoring Contributions During Challenging Times

In India, the annual celebration of National Doctors Day honors and celebrates the significant contributions that physicians make to the lives of individuals and communities. It gives an opportunity to recognize the crucial efforts of doctors, mainly during trying times like the COVID-19 pandemic, when they have took the initiative to fight against the disease as a group and saved numerous patients' lives.

It is celebrated to recognize the doctors for their strong dedication to saving lives and improving patients' life. National Doctors Day in India is celebrated every year on July first; this year, in 2024, it will be seen on Monday, July 1. The Government of India chosen this date to respect the birth and demise commemoration of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a well-known doctor, freedom fighter, and former West Bengal Chief Minister.  

Dr. Roy received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in recognition of his contributions to the medical field. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Indian Medical Association and the Medical Council of India. Formally designated July 1st as National Doctor’s Day in 1991 to respect Dr Roy's heritage, impressive skill, and compassionate qualities in the field of medical care and public health, this day serves in as a stage for featuring the vital role of doctors in advancing medical services and perceiving their significant commitments to society.

The theme opted for the celebration of National Doctor’s Day in 2024 is “Healing Hands, Caring Hearts,” which gives higher importance to committment, compassion and empathy that doctors bring to their job, and also the role they play in saving and improving lives.