PC THOMAS: Just after COVID-19 second wave wreaked havoc, India celebrates National Doctors' Day on 1st July, which marks the birth anniversary of the legendary medical practitioner and former West Bengal Chief Minister Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. Incidentally, the day is also his death anniversary. July 1st in India is observed as National Doctor’s Day to express gratitude to all those who have selflessly and tirelessly worked to save many lives in the country. It has also become an occasion to highlight the vital role and contribution of doctors and primary care teams in the healthcare systems in India. 

National Doctors Day is a fitting opportunity to thank all doctors for caring for us and our family members. The globally “notorious” coronavirus itself may be thinking that dedicating just one day to the Honourable Doctors is not enough, as it has snatched away hundreds of doctors’ lives. According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) data, 748 doctors succumbed to coronavirus infection in the first wave of the pandemic and as many as 776 doctors died during the second wave.

Two months ago, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to those who died in the second wave of the pandemic during his virtual interaction with doctors, it was noticed that he became highly emotional and said,  “This virus has snatched many loved ones from us. I pay my humble respects to them and I express my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones."

On this Doctor’s day, NewsTrack tried to reach some of the corona warriors from St. Francis Hospital & Research Centre, Indore (a leading private not-for-profit organization with high charitable thrust), who have dedicated their lives to serving patients. These are only some of the names from the city, as there are many of them serving patients without getting any public recognition. Let us listen to what they tell us in this Covid crisis, coronavirus dos and don’ts.

DR. TRISHALA SINGHVI, CONSULTANT INTENSIVIST: “With prior experience of H1N1 and 1st wave of Covid pandemic, we could manage the critical patients in the 2nd wave quite competently. It was a great learning experience for all of us. Balanced diet, regular physical activity, good amount of sleep and avoidance of stress is the key formula for good immunity and healthy life. Everyone should follow Covid appropriate behavior like use of masks worn above the nose and social distancing. It is advised to report early to a qualified doctor or hospital, if you are not well so that chances of improvement and survival become easy.”

DR SANDEEP PANDE, CONSULTANT: “While Covid-19 global crisis has caused much anxiety, suffering and uncertainty, what motivates us to keep working under such strenuous condition? First of all, when a patient recovers from disease and goes home, it really lifts our spirits and motivates us to do better work and serve our patients and the nation when it is needed the most.”  

DR. SOURABH S. DUDVE CONSULTANT: “Covid-19 is still here and can spread further; hence the mistakes made after the 1st wave are to be avoided. The second wave differs from the earlier one in terms of symptoms, line of treatment, age group infected, effect of medicine and other things. ‘Delta Plus’ variant is more infectious or fatal compared to the ‘Delta Variant’. It is important for all of us to understand Covid appropriate behavior after vaccination & try to increase vaccination drive.” 

DR. SIBI ABRAHAM, ICU IN-CHARGE: “The second wave hit us harder than we thought. Being in the battlefront, we doctors find it easier to relate to the fear of this pandemic. This fight between disease and death was overwhelming. Despite the challenging nature of our profession, the satisfying part is that we are in a position to make a difference, a difference in the patient's health and life, a difference in the society as a whole. But being in the epicenter, we were also absorbing the gloom of the pandemic like a sponge. Seeing patients suddenly worsen and succumb to this dreadful disease was disheartening. Let us take all the precautions possible and the vaccine to escape from the deadly claws of the third wave.”

To conclude, we can say that doctors on earth are like Gods in heaven. A special day is observed to thank them for their humane services to mankind. As we know, the work they do is highly stressful, especially during the devastating pandemic outbreak. In spite of all dangers they are working with dedication and compassion to save millions of lives. Therefore, on the occasion of Doctor’s Day, let us express our gratitude to doctors for always being available to us, for serving us with commitment and for healing us.

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