Shoiab Mohammad Bhat
Doctor’s Day is a solemn yet celebratory occasion that pays tribute to the tireless service and sacrifices of medical professionals. Doctors are the backbone of every healthcare 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, the occasion takes on added significance with the 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 renowned physician, educationist, freedom fighter, and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Dr. Roy was born and passed away on July 1, making the date both symbolic and historically significant. During his lifetime, he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s healthcare infrastructure. He helped establish important institutions such as the Indian Medical Association and the Medical Council of India. He was also instrumental in the development of planned cities such as Durgapur, Bidhannagar, and Kalyani. In 1961, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.
Doctors often work under immense emotional and physical pressure. They endure long working hours, make life altering decisions, and care for patients in high stress environments. This became especially evident during the coronavirus pandemic. At a time when most people stayed indoors, doctors worked tirelessly on the frontlines to save lives. The pandemic also exposed the vulnerability of healthcare professionals to infection, exhaustion, burnout, and psychological trauma.
Several studies conducted in India have highlighted the growing mental health concerns among doctors. One major study involving resident doctors found that 67.2 percent experienced moderate stress, 30.1 percent showed symptoms of depression, and more than 90 percent reported burnout. These findings clearly underline the urgent need for systemic reforms that support the well being of healthcare professionals.
Doctors are much more than medical practitioners. They are mentors, educators, counsellors, and often a source of hope for patients and their families. Their role extends far beyond clinical treatment. They build trust, offer reassurance, and give strength to those battling illness. Whether it is a surgeon operating under immense pressure, a paediatrician easing anxious parents, or a rural doctor serving remote communities with limited resources, every doctor makes a meaningful contribution.
Many people place their trust in doctors immediately after God because they help relieve disease, pain, fear, and suffering. Their knowledge, skill, and compassion restore hope to patients and their loved ones during life’s most difficult moments.
At the same time, the medical profession must continue to uphold its highest ethical values. Based on my experience, both present and future generations of doctors should be reminded that medicine is, above all, a service to humanity. Financial success may come with the profession, but saving lives and relieving suffering should always remain a physician’s foremost purpose. The greatest reward for a doctor is often not financial. It is the satisfaction of seeing a patient recover and return safely to loved ones. The value of saving a human life can never be measured in monetary terms.
Over the decades, India has produced countless medical professionals who have transformed healthcare both within the country and across the world. Indian doctors occupy leading positions in hospitals, universities, and research institutions globally. Pioneers such as Dr. Kadambini Ganguly, one of India’s first female physicians, and Dr. Ranjit Roy Chaudhury, a distinguished medical educator and expert in medical ethics and policy, laid the foundation for ethical and progressive medical practice in India.
There are many meaningful ways to honour doctors on this occasion. A simple thank you, a handwritten note of appreciation, or a heartfelt message on social media can acknowledge their invaluable service. Schools, colleges, and universities can organise essay competitions, debates, and interactive sessions to inspire young people to view medicine as a noble profession. Thoughtful gifts such as medical books, journals, or items that support a doctor’s professional or personal well being can also serve as meaningful gestures of gratitude.
Most importantly, policymakers and healthcare administrators must create a safer, more supportive working environment for doctors. Although India celebrates National Doctors’ Day on July 1, many countries observe International Doctors’ Day on the first Monday of October. Both observances share the same purpose, recognising the selfless contributions of doctors and reminding society of their indispensable role.
Doctors’ Day is much more than a ceremonial observance. It is an opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and renewed responsibility. We must remember that doctors are human too. They deserve care, compassion, respect, and dignity. As we express our gratitude, we must also advocate for a healthcare system that supports their mental health, professional growth, and personal well being. After all, when we care for our doctors, we strengthen the very foundation of our healthcare system.
The author is a writer, social educator, and researcher from Baramulla. He holds a Master’s degree in Gender Studies and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
