Doctor's Day - It's time to help them in their cause
Doctors are considered next to God, they are the protectors, or we can say, guardian angels. National Doctor's Day is observed on 1st July every year in India to honour their contribution and noble work. This day is commemorated to show gratitude towards all the doctors who work 24x7, day and night to ensure our good health and safety. Each year, India National Doctors’ Day embraces a unique theme to highlight different aspects of the medical profession. The theme for 2023 is “Celebrating Resilience and Healing Hands.” This theme acknowledges the indomitable spirit of doctors who have braved the challenges posed by the pandemic, tirelessly healing and restoring hope to countless lives. It is a reminder of their unwavering commitment to serving humanity and the remarkable resilience they have shown throughout their noble journey.
The National Doctors Day is being observed in India since 1991 in honour of Dr BC Roy - an eminent physician, academician, freedom fighter and politician in West Bengal. He had played a significant role in forming the Indian Medical Association and Medical Council of India. Every country celebrates this day on different dates, but to honour Dr BC Roy's contribution to the medical fraternity, IMA decided to observe July 1 as India's National doctors day.
Though the doctor's day is celebrated to honour us but golden era of doctor being considered as next to God is getting over.
The Doctor Patient relationship and trust has gone downhill rapidly in last 2 or 3 decades.
With far less number of Govt health facilities as well as health staff as compared to population here ,the Corporate hospitals have sprung up everywhere. The cost of treatment in private sectors can have catastrophic effect on any household financial holdings.
With Insurance sector penetration is too low here in India and Govt. Hospitals lacking full fledged facilities Patients are often at crossroads.
With high expectations of patients of best care but with low cost often leads to violence against doctor community which has to be stopped at any cost.
To prevent further deterioration the Govt should come forward to upgrade it's hospitals and provide free and best services. But it should never overburden already stressed out health staff. Every vacant post should be filled up and their financial needs should be taken care of as per their qualification and experience.
With expenditure of become a doctor in Private medical colleges has reached more than 1 crore , mostly young graduates and their family is already under financial debt.
With rising cost of becoming a doctor and Corporate hospitals expanding into every city , the cost of treatment will rise.
But our community always try to do a bit for society.
Most of doctors cut down fees ,help the patients by organising free camps and giving free medicines.
Many doctors sacrificed their lives during Covid times.
Where society and even family members distanced themselves from Covid patients ,the doctors were at their bedside.
Now it's time for society to pay back by giving them the respect they deserve.
I wish my community a very Happy Doctor's Day.
-
-
Dr Naresh Chawla, MD (Chest & TB )
drchest@gmail.com
Disclaimer : The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the writer/author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media. Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.