“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” – William Osler.

India observes National Doctors Day every year for expressing its deepest gratitude for the immense contributions of doctors to the wellbeing of individuals and the health of communities. Doctor’s day serves as one of the special occasion for recognizing the tireless efforts of medical professionals specifically during times of crisis such as the pandemic and during such a challenging phase, doctors battled the disease & saved countless lives by standing on the front lines.

“We must recognize the doctors’ role in building a healthier, more equitable world. Their work extends beyond treating illnesses; it involves advocating for better healthcare systems, educating the public, and pushing the boundaries of medical science,” says Sourabh Agrawal, Senior Vice President, Lupin Limited.

The inception of doctor’s day takes us back to the year 1991, when the Indian government decided to mark Dr Bidhan’s birthday as National Doctor’s Day, by commemorating the invaluable contributions of Dr Roy to the field of medicine.  The first of July has been set aside for celebrating Doctor’s day since it marks the birth anniversary as well as death anniversary of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy who was not only one of the renowned physicians of the country but he also served as the 2^nd Chief Minister of West Bengal. Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy is also a recipient of the Bharat Ratna which is the highest civilian award in India.

The theme for National Doctor’s day in 2024 is “Healing Hands, Caring Hearts”. It highlights the compassion, dedication & empathy which doctors bring to their medical practice, underscoring the crucial role they play in saving and enhancing the lives of people.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister hailed Indian doctors for their global recognition & contributions in a recent address at a national conference of the Association of Cutaneous Surgeons in Nagpur, held in October 2023. During his speech, Gadkari lauded the Indian doctors for their prestigious standing around the globe and also stated that “out of the top ten physicians in the United Kingdom and the United States, 6 are of Indian origin”. His remarks underscored the huge and significant role played by Indian doctors globally.

There are several career choices which can facilitate aspiring healthcare professionals in building a lucrative career in the healthcare industry. Some of these include General practitioner, Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Cardiologist, Oncologist, dermatologist, Pediatrician, Gynecologist and anesthesiologist. Although there are several options available, choosing the right specialization is highly important for doctors since it not only determines their career path but it also affects the quality of patient care and the level of job satisfaction. Some of the top Medical colleges in India include All India Institute of Medical Sciences - Delhi, PGIMER - Chandigarh, CMC Vellore, NIMHANS –Bangalore, JIPMER- Puducherry, Banaras Hindu University, Kasturba Medical College – Manipal and others.

As mentioned above, this day is set apart to salute the resilience of doctors. Whether a virtual salute or a heartfelt thank you card or even a simple moment of silence for acknowledging their tireless efforts let us show all doctors that we cherish them on this special occasion. Also, the dedication of our doctors makes our planet a better place and we celebrate their exceptional brilliance with gratitude & admiration.