On the occasion of National Doctor’s Day 2021, PM Modi will be addressing the medical community. Celebrated annually on July 1, it is a day to celebrate the ever-expansive importance of the medical community and doctors.
While doctors have always saved lives and been the boon for humanity, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis have once again shown the society just how important doctors are. Today, doctors aren’t just doctors, they are superheroes amongst us with a lab coat they wear as a cape.
Details
Prime Minister is scheduled to address the nation on July 1. At times his scheduled addresses cause slight tinge of panic among the masses and they are reminded of the demonetisation and the ‘no-warning’ nationwide lockdown. However, this scheduled lockdown has a pleasant agenda – appreciating the medical fraternity on the National Doctors Day.
To announce the same, PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote, “India is proud of the efforts of all doctors in fighting COVID-19. 1st July is marked as National Doctors Day. At 3 PM tomorrow, will address the doctors community at a programme organised by IMA.”
India is proud of the efforts of all doctors in fighting COVID-19. 1st July is marked as National Doctors Day. At 3 PM tomorrow, will address the doctors community at a programme organised by @IMAIndiaOrg.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2021
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National Doctor’s Day Origin
The national celebration for doctor’s originated in 1991 when the Government of India decided to establish the National Doctor’s Day. The day is celebrated in honor of former West Bengal Chief Minister Bidhan Chandra Roy whose birth anniversary falls on the same day. Not only did Dr. Roy served as the CM of the state for 14 long years, but he was also a renowned physician, social workers and a pioneer in the space of philanthropy.
What more, Dr. Roy is known to have founded Indian Medical Association. Dr. Roy established the welfare and rights body for doctors in 1928. The noted physician also set up some of the then well-known institutions in Calcutta like R.G. Kar Medical College, Jadavpur T.B Hospital, Victoria Institution and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital.
In his life that spanned 80 years, Dr. Roy nurtured the idea of free education, free health care, better water supply and well-constructed roads. For his continuous efforts, he was awarded Bharat Ratna – the highest civilian honor.
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The State of Doctors in COVID-19 Era
Doctors have inarguably been the spine of Indian healthcare body that were well supported by the frontline workers like nurses and paramedical staff. However, there was a flip side to it as well. In the ongoing pandemic, another epidemic emerged – violence against doctors.
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Attack on Indore Doctors
The first major incident took place in Indore, in April, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of doctors who were tracing and recording COVID-19 cases were pelted with stones by the locals. The videos made round on social media and the cleanest city of India was forced to lower its head in shame.
Dr. Zakiya Sayed, who was one such doctor in the team of doctors was later quoted by ANI saying-
“We sustained injuries but we have to do our job and will not be scared.”
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Several other reports emerged in the coming months. In April, 2021, a family launched assault on a Delhi hospital as they could not get an ICU bed for their family member. Similarly, in Assam, an inhumane attack was reported from Assam when a mob of 24 people brutally attacked a doctor.
The Efforts made by Indian Govt to Raise Awareness
In order to raise awareness, PM Modi urged the citizens to observe a ‘janata curfew’ and appreciate the medical community and essential workers by clanging utensils or applauding for five minutes in their balconies.
Further, to welcome more doctors who can act as frontline workers in the ongoing COVID crisis, Centre announced several incentives for final year medical students.
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