National Doctor’s Day 2019: Why Is It Celebrated?

National Doctor’s Day: The theme for this year is ‘Zero Tolerance to Violence Against Doctors and Clinical Establishment’.

(Photo: iStockphoto)

India has been celebrating National Doctor’s Day every year on 1st July, since 1991. The day is marked as an occasion to acknowledge the efforts and commitments of our doctors and to thank them for their tireless services.

The day marks the birth and death anniversary of renowned physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

Theme of National Doctor’s Day 2019

In light of the recent incidents of physical assaults on doctors, the theme for this year is ‘Zero Tolerance to Violence Against Doctors and Clinical Establishment’, as announced by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Writing for FIT, Dr Shibal Bhartiya had highlighted the need for violence against doctors to stop.

For doctors in India today, the looming spectre of public violence and abuse is real. Doctors understand the need for regulation on costs of healthcare, and for checks and balances for quality control, perhaps more than patients. 

She added, “They deal with the lack of infrastructure and poor spending on healthcare each day. It affects their practice, their ability to perform, and consequently, the results of their travails. “

Why Is It Celebrated?

The aim is to raise awareness about the issues and problems faced by doctors and the medical industry — violence, lack of infrastructural facilities and insufficient resources, to name a few.

The day is celebrated across the world on different dates. For instance, in the United States, is is observed on 30th March and in Cuba, 3rd December.