Docs ask for official recognition
› We want the government to celebrate Doctors’ Day as they celebrate Teachers’ Day DR PK GUPTA , Indian Medical Association › When other people were running away from coronavirus patients, doctors were treating them. DR ASHOK RAI, State president IMA › This day should be observed to acknowledge the service of doctors towards humanity and nation. RAMA SRIVASTAVA , President, IMA, Lucknow
LUCKNOW : A day ahead of National Doctors’ Day, the doctors’ fraternity on Tuesday rued the fact that they don’t get the recognition they deserve. Collectively, they demanded official recognition for Doctors’ Day on July 1 on the pattern of Teachers’ Day.
Dr PK Gupta of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said, “We want the government to celebrate Doctors’ Day as they celebrate Teachers’ Day. Doctors have always been in the forefront, even in crisis situations. Be it a war or fighting coronavirus, doctors have contributed to society, but they have never got due recognition from the government.”
Gupta further said: “On this day, the government should honour the ‘best doctors’ to boost their moral. This is the proper time and occasion to give official recognition to doctors when they are fighting coronavirus tooth and nail. Many doctors have laid down their lives while treating patients. They should not be considered lesser than martyrs.”
State president IMA Dr Ashok Rai said: “When other people were running away from coronavirus patients, doctors were treating them. No wonder several doctors got infected themselves, some of them even died but no doctor ever said that they want to run away from the patients. They are still treating them with full dedication.”
Dr Ashok Rai said: “National Doctors’ Day was declared in 1991. We have been demanding that it should be celebrated as a government programme as it will give honour to our services. I want the chief minister to take the initiative.”
IMA, Lucknow, president Rama Srivastava said: “The realities of working as a doctor mean stress and sacrifices. Doctors have given years of their lives towards studies and training and put themselves in enormous stress working countless hours. Doctors are expected to stand up to the increasingly demanding expectations of the changing healthcare system. They cannot even talk about the burnout which they feel. Yet, they still show up whenever they are needed. Don’t they deserve a day of their own from the government.”
For last few years, doctors have been demanding that July 1 should be celebrated officially as Doctors’ Day just like Teachers’ Day. This day should be observed to acknowledge the service of doctors towards humanity and nation, said Srivastava.
He added: “IMA will celebrate this day to honour doctors’ contribution to society. Health is a state subject. It is high time for the state government to declare this day as Doctors’ Day, officially.”
Dr Devangshu Nandi, of a private nursing home, said: “Physicians are the unsung heroes. No one thinks about their ability to perform work under extreme circumstances with endurance, skill and professionalism. During the hard times of this pandemic, doctors have proven that they deserve a better treatment from the government.”