Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER extends heartfelt greetings to doctors on the eve of National Doctor’s Day
Lauds their unprecedented Commitment & Courage through the pandemic of COVID-19
Urges them to strive for “Compassionate & affordable care for all.”
“On the eve of National Doctor’s Day, I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings to all my respected teachers, seniors, fellow colleagues, students, resident doctors, and fellows. Doctors’ day celebrations in India offer us a great opportunity for spreading awareness about the roles, importance and responsibilities of the doctors and also promote medical professionals to come closer and discharge the responsibilities of this esteemed profession with full devotion and dedication.
It gives me immense pleasure to share my views with you on this occasion. It has been celebrated on 1st of July every year since 1991, in the memory of the legendary physician Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (BC Roy) whose birth and death anniversary coincide on this date. Dr. Roy was not only an astute physician, but also the 2nd Chief Minister of West Bengal and was awarded India’s highest civilian honor – Bharat Ratna in the year 1961. This day is rightly celebrated in his honor to acknowledge the immense contributions of doctors to mankind.
Today we celebrate this day at a time when the Coronavirus has brought the role of healthcare and doctors in prominence. Doctors have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID – 19. While most of the professions went into work-from-home mode, this is one profession where more and more professionals have been recruited for in-person work. Dressed in full body suits, the doctors have taken the coronavirus pandemic head-on and helped India through two disastrous waves of the pandemic over a year and a half. The fight hasn’t been without sacrifice. India lost over 1500 doctors to COVID-19 during the pandemic. Today is a day when we remember their invaluable sacrifices during selfless service. But as the former president of Indian medical association, Dr. K K Agarwal said just a few days before he himself succumbed to the deadly virus – ‘The show must go on’.
We strongly condemn the attack on the doctors and health care workers who are putting their best efforts to save the life of suffering humanity.
The perception of doctors in the society has changed over the years. But so has the approach of the newer breed of doctors. Sir William Osler once rightly said “The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head.” The ability to practice the art of medicine is a true blessing, bestowed upon a very few.
Today, we must remember and commemorate the contributions of the medical fraternity to society. Doctors have made relentless efforts towards improving the overall health status of our country. All of us should strive to provide “Compassionate & affordable care for all.” We must remember and follow our basic Hippocratic Oath that states, First and foremost, the principle is to do no harm. In other forums, I have often stated that we must follow 6 A’s in our daily practice:
- Availability- Doctor must be always available to all the patients during the working hours
- Accessibility: Patient should be able to freely express his/ her concern to the doctor
- Affability: Doctors should greet the patient affectionately at all times and empathize with the patient’s concerns.
- Ability: doctor should have the competency to treat the patient
- Affordability: Patients should be provided cost effective medical care of the highest standard.
- Accountability: Doctor should be accountable for his actions
As I look back on my over 4-decade long journey in the medical field, the only memories that make me smile are those of my patients smiling. I have practiced Ophthalmology in the specialty of cataract surgery for the better part of my ophthalmic career, and I have found no better pleasure than giving sight to a blind child for a lifetime! God has given us this unique opportunity, let’s make the full use of it for the betterment of humanity.
With these few words, I would once again like to express my greetings to all of you on National Doctor’s Day.
Wish you all once again a very Happy Doctor’s Day 2021. Jai Hind!”
