Every year, July 1 is marked as National Doctor’s Day in India—a solemn yet significant occasion dedicated to honouring the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the country’s medical professionals. The day commemorates the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, one of India’s most revered physicians, and a Bharat Ratna awardee who laid the foundation for India’s modern healthcare infrastructure.

2025 Theme: “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?”

• This year’s theme shifts the spotlight from patients to the mental and emotional well-being of doctors themselves.
  
• It calls for public empathy and institutional support for healthcare providers facing burnout, stress, and emotional fatigue.
  
• The theme urges India to acknowledge doctors not just as caregivers, but as individuals who too need healing.

Why July 1 Matters — Dr. B.C. Roy’s Enduring Legacy

• National Doctor’s Day was officially established in 1991 by the Government of India.
  
• It honours Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (1882–1962), who was not only an accomplished physician but also the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.
  
• Dr. Roy was instrumental in founding key medical institutions such as:
  
  • Indian Medical Association (IMA)
    
  • Medical Council of India (MCI)
    
• He passed away on his birthday, July 1, making the date doubly symbolic.

Recognition Amid Rising Noise: GST and New Laws Take the Spotlight

While the medical community continues to serve with commitment, recent years have seen Doctor’s Day getting overshadowed by larger policy headlines that fall on the same date:

• In 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was rolled out on July 1, becoming a landmark economic reform that dominates media space annually.
  
• In 2024, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—India’s overhauled criminal justice code—was implemented on the same date, drawing nationwide attention.
  

This overlap often diverts attention from appreciating the service of doctors, who remain the unsung backbone of India’s wellness infrastructure.

How India Celebrates Its Medical Heroes

Despite the distraction, various states and institutions observe the day with:

• Free health camps
  
• Medical conferences and seminars
  
• Felicitation ceremonies for exceptional doctors
  
• Public health awareness campaigns
  
• Mental health support workshops for medical staff

These events aim to bridge the gap between public gratitude and professional burnout, especially post-pandemic, when the emotional toll on medical workers remains high.

A Day to Remember, Reflect, and Reform

Doctor’s Day is not just about symbolic gratitude. It’s also a reminder for India to:

• Address medical infrastructure gaps
  
• Improve doctor-patient ratios
  
• Invest in doctors’ mental health and working conditions
  

Reform healthcare laws for better medical protection

By – Nikita