by Shoiab Mohmmad Bhat
Doctor’s Day, a solemn yet celebratory occasion that pays tribute to the tireless service and sacrifices of medical professionals. Doctors are the backbone of any health care system. Their dedication, expertise, and compassion play a vital role in saving lives, promoting well-being and guiding individuals through their most vulnerable moments. In 2026, this day takes on added meaning with the official theme “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?” National Doctors’ Day in India was instituted in 1991 by the government of India to honour Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a pioneering and the second chief minister of West Bengal.
Dr Roy was born and passed away on July 1st, making the date symbolic and historically significant. During his lifetime, Dr Roy was instrumental in shaping India’s healthcare infrastructure. He helped establish vital institutions such as the Indian Medical Association and the Medical Council of India. He was also a city planner responsible for founding some important cities such as Durapur, Bidanagar, and Kalyani. In the year 1961, he received the award of Bharat Ratna, which is the most prestigious award that an Indian citizen can get.
Doctors often face intense pressure emotionally and physically as they navigate long working hours, make life-altering decisions, and often care in high-stress environments. This has been very evident during the coronavirus pandemic period. In the period when everyone was staying at home, it was doctors who were working tirelessly to help save lives at risk. The coronavirus pandemic brought into focus how vulnerable medical professionals are to diseases, exhaustion, burnout, and trauma. There have been several reliable studies carried out in India on doctors’ psychological well-being.
A major study on Indian residents found that 67.2% had moderate levels of stress, 30.1% were diagnosed with symptoms of depression and more than 90% had burnout. The statistics above clearly show the pressing need for reforms within the system that can help the healthcare professionals in particular. Doctors are much more than just medical professionals. They are mentors, educators, counsellors, and often a source of hope for patients and their families. Their role extends beyond clinical treatment to building trust and instilling strength in those suffering from illness. Whether it is a surgeon who operates under extreme pressure, a paediatrician who eases a parent’s worry, or a rural practitioner who serves isolated communities with limited resources, every doctor makes a meaningful difference.
After God, people often place their trust in doctors because they heal disease, pain, fear, suffering, and emotional troubles. His wisdom and empathy restore faith in those in pain and their families during their toughest times. Nevertheless, as far as my experience goes, we need to educate both the current generation and the future generations who will be doctors. They should first learn that the profession is for the service of humankind, not just a way of making money. Making money might be a result of the profession but saving lives and alleviating suffering should always be the main aim of the physician. The doctor does not have any financial gain after saving his patient; what he gains in the end can only be known to the patient’s family. He gets happiness in seeing his patient return safely to his family members. Saving life is indeed a noble act and the worth of doing so can never be quantified in terms of money.
Over the decades, India has produced countless medical professionals who have transformed the health care landscape in India and across the world. Indian doctors serve in leading positions in hospitals and research institutions around the world. Historical figures such as Dr Kadamini Gangali, one of India’s first female doctors and Dr Ranjit Roy Churi, a pioneer in medical ethics and policy, have laid the foundation for ethical and advanced medical practice in the country.
There are various ways to honour Doctors in this celebration. Some of the ways that people can show their appreciation to doctors are by saying thank you with their words or writing down a note, or performing such acts on social media. Schools, Colleges, and Universities can organise essay competitions, debates, and interactive talks to inspire the next generation to consider medicine as a noble profession. Thoughtful gifts such as medical books, journals, or items that contribute to a doctor’s clinic or personal well-being can also serve as tokens of appreciation.
Most importantly, policymakers and healthcare support should create a safer work environment for doctors. Although India celebrates National Doctors’ Day on July 1st, the global community recognizes doctors on International Doctors Day, which is observed on the 1st Monday of October. Both observances serve a common purpose to recognise the selfless work of doctors and to remind society of their indispensable role.
It is a day, more than a ceremonial occasion. It is a moment of reflection, respect, and renewed responsibility. We must remember that they too are human, deserving of care, compassion and dignity. As we offer our gratitude, let us also advocate for a system that supports their mental health, professional growth and personal fulfilment. After all, in caring for our doctors, we strengthen the very foundation of our healthcare system.
Author is a researcher. He can be mailed at shoaibhat2018@gmail.com
