National Doctors Day is celebrated on 1 July,1991 in the honor of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. Dr. Bidhan Chandra’s birth anniversary and death anniversary fall on the same date, i.e. July 1. During pandemic time, doctors worked 24/7 sacrificing a lot. We find it difficult to keep a mask for 20 minutes but doctors keep it for hours.  This day offers a chance to say thank you to the doctor and appreciating them for their efforts. By giving greeting cards, roses and chocolates, people appreciate the real heroes of the society. 

Who is Dr. Bidhan Chandra?

Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy was born on 1 July, 1882 at Bankipore(Patna). He studied at Presidency College in Kolkata and later at Patna College with Honors in Mathematics. In 1901, he joined the Calcutta Medical College. After completing medical studies in India, Dr BC Roy leave England for higher studies. He was not only a Physician but also an educationist, statesman who also served as second  chief minister of west bengal. He died on 1 July, 1962 at Kolkata. Coincidentally his birth anniversary or death anniversary are on the same  date. That’s why doctors day is celebrated on 1 July. He also received Bharat Ratna Award. 

Significance of National Doctor’s Day:-

• The day aims to raise awareness for the doctor’s efforts and work. 
• The day is celebrated in honor of the role of doctors in the growth of the world.
• On this day various workshop, camps are organized across the world to mark this day. 
• This day focuses on medical practitioners, doctors and nurses for their services and contribution towards society.

How to celebrate Doctors Day?

• By giving greeting cards and Thank you messages to doctors.
• By giving red carnation flowers or any flowers to the doctor. Red carnation flower is a symbol for the doctor’s day. 
• You can also give the cakes, sweets and  chocolates to the doctors and say thank you to them.
• On this day free medical champs, free medical services can also provided to the patients to mark the presence of doctors in our life.

How to become a doctor in India

• After 10th Class, a student interested in studying medicine, choose the medical stream. In this stream, they study Physics, Chemistry and Biology(with or without math)

• After 12th class completion, students appeared for medical entrance exams like NEET, AIIMS and JIPMER to get admission into the medical college for studying MBBS.

•  Candidates have to clear the entrance exam to get admission in medical school. The most common entrance tests in India are National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) that is mostly accepted by most medical institutes.
•  After completing 12th class the minimum time required to become a doctor is 5 years and 6 Months. 
• After getting an MBBS degree, candidates normally do a one year mandatory internship as a part of the program. Candidates getting an opportunity to do work under the supervision of  top doctors.  
• Candidates must obtain an MBBS degree and internship from any institute approved by the Medical Council Of India. Candidates can start their career and practice medicine in India  after registering with the Indian Medical Register.
• Candidates must first register with one of the country state in order to practice medicine there. 
• Candidates who want to specialize in the medical sector may pursue for second master degree or even a Phd. After earning MBBS and Master degree many doctors choose to do practice medicine.

The courses after MBBS include specialisation in MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), and other diploma programs. As for India, admissions to MD/MS are conducted through a few common PG entrance exams which include NEET PG, INI CET. The specializations offered under MD, MS, and other diploma programs and what the specialized doctors are called is listed below:

1 Cardiologists – They are specialized in the  heart and blood vessels.They are for:-

• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Blood clots
• Irregular Heartbeat
• High Blood Pressure

2 Dermatologists – They are specialized for the hair, skin and nails. You might see them for:-

• Hair loss
• Skin care
• Acne
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Rashes
• Skin Cancer

3 Neurologists – They are specialized for the nervous system. You might see them for:-

• Brain 
• Spinal Cords
• Nerves
• Strokes
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease

4 Otolaryngologists – They specialize in ear, nose and throat . They are for:-

•  Facial Trauma 
• Respiratory System
• Sinuses
• Head cancer
• Neck cancer
• Balance Disorders
• Hearing loss
• Deviated Septum
• Sleep Disorders

5 Nephrologists – They specialize in the kidney as well as high blood pressure. You might see them for :-

• Kidney infection
• Kidney Stone
• Kidney failure
• End stage renal disease
• Nephrotic Syndrome
• Urinary tract infection

6 Gastroenterologists – They specialize in the stomach, small bowel and colon. You might see them for:-

• Colon Cancer
• Gallstones
• Liver Disease
• Nutrition concerns
• Celiac Disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome

7 Hematologists – They specialize in the diagnosing, treating and managing conditions related to the blood and bone marrow. They are for:-

• Anemia
• Blood cancers
• Bleeding disorders
• Blood clotting disorders.

8  Orthopedists – They specialize in diagnosis, treating and managing conditions related to the musculoskeletal system such as bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, joints and tendons. They are for:-

• Dislocated joints
• Bone fractures
• Sports injuries
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Concussions

9 Podiatrists – They specialize in feet and ankles. They are for:-

• Sprains and fractures
• Flatfoot
• Plantar fasciitis
• Arthritis of foot and ankle
• Achilles tendinitis
• Bunions

10 Psychiatrists – They specialize in mind and soul. You might see them for ;-

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Personality disorders
• Substance use disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Gender dysphoria
• Schizophrenia