This Doctors Day: Special Salute to our Family Phyisicians

India observes July 1, the birth anniversary of the legendary Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy as National Doctors' Day to commemorate his exemplary services in the medical field.

Popularly called Dr. B C Roy, this iconic doctor brought laurels to the realms of medicine with his unmatched and revolutionary services.

Significance of NDD

National Doctors' Day is celebrated across the globe on different dates. In India, July 1 is marked as National Doctors' Day to pay tribute to the contributions of the 'national doctor' Dr. B C Roy who is remembered as a great physician, an impactful politician, a philanthropist, a freedom fighter, an educationist and the second Chief Minister of Bengal who served for 14 years until his death in 1962.

Besides his service to the country and to the field of medicine, Dr. Roy was a key figure in the establishment of the erstwhile Medical Council of India (National Medical Commission) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 1928.

In addition to Dr. Roy, the day is also dedicated to recognizing physicians and healthcare workers for their selfless and relentless service to communities.

History

In the year 1991, the Central Government established July 1 as National Doctors' Day in admiration of Dr. Roy. The date (July 1) that marked the birth of Dr. Roy is incidentally also his death anniversary.

A close comrade and doctor of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Roy had the opinion that only someone in good physical and mental condition could ever hope to achieve India's liberation or Swaraj.

Dr. B C Roy

Early life

Known for his scientific temper, Dr. Roy was born on 1 July 1882 in Patna to a Bengali family.

In 1897, Bidhan attended Patna Collegiate School before enrolling at Presidency College in Calcutta to get his I.A.

At Patna College, where he completed his undergraduate studies, he earned a B.A. with honors in Mathematics.

After receiving his bachelor's degree, he applied to pursue postgraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology and the Calcutta Medical College. He was selected in both the institutions but preferred to go to medical.

Dr. B C Roy: The Legendary Physician

'Whatever thy hands findeth to do, do it with thy might' is an inscription that Dr. Roy read in his younger days and completely imbibed in his life.

Though initially denied admission to the leading London institute, Dr. Roy went on to become one of just a few people in history to be a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians.

After returning from London, Roy began working for the local health system. He worked hard and with great passion, and when required, he would act as a nurse. He also conducted private lessons in his spare time for a little price.

Later, he served as an instructor at the Campbell Medical School (now NRS Medical College), the Carmichael Medical College, and the Calcutta Medical College. (now R.G. Kar Medical College).

Roy thought that without the people being healthy and strong in body and mind, swaraj (the call to action for India's liberation) would remain a dream. He made improvements to the way medical education was administered.

He played a crucial role in establishing the Victoria Institution (college), Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital, Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, and Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy inaugurated the Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for mothers and kids in 1926. Roy was the University of Calcutta's Vice-Chancellor at the time.

Dr. Roy urged women from all social groups and communities to visit the Seva Sadan to seek medical care, which he and his staff had founded. His training facility assisted women in learning about nursing and social work, which helped spread the information. He requested that his home be converted into a nursing facility after passing.

He was also instrumental in establishing the Indian Institute of Mental Health, the Infectious Disease Hospital and even Kolkata's first-ever postgraduate medical college.

In 1944, he received a Doctor of Science degree for his work.

In British Medical publications, he is referred to as the first medical consultant in the Indian subcontinent who was more successful and dedicated than his predecessors in several professions.

On February 4th, 1961, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor.

Is it any wonder that the British Medical Journal referred to Dr. Roy as the "first medical consultant in the subcontinent of India, who towered over his colleagues in various disciplines" in its obituary? The obituary continued, "At the height of his professional powers, he may have had the largest consulting practice in the world, rumoring that his arrival to a city or even a train station brought forth throngs of would-be patients."

He died on July 1st, 1962, but not before he left behind a legacy of utmost regard for the ideals of public service, which he upheld as a medical professional and a leader.

National Doctors' Day 2022 Theme: "Family Doctors on the Front Line"

"Family Doctors on the Front Line" is the theme of National Doctors' Day in 2022. Family physicians are at the forefront and consistently offer care.

They are primary care specialists who are available whenever and wherever required. They share the ideals of the communities in which they operate, becoming a trusted member of those communities.

To achieve the aim of universal health coverage, family physicians offer comprehensive, compassionate, and people-centered care, a visionary choice made by the Indian government in the form of the "Ayushman Bharat Programme."

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