National Doctors’ Day, which highlights the contributions of doctors in society, is celebrated on July 1 in India by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
The theme for this year’s celebration of National Doctors’ Day in India is “Family Doctors on the Front Line.” The theme highlights the contribution of doctors who care for the whole family or a community.
National Doctors’ Day celebrations in India began in 1991 on July 1 to honour Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, or B.C. Roy, whose birth and death anniversary, both fall on July 1. B.C. Roy was a famous physician and freedom fighter from West Bengal. He also became the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 till his death in 1962.
The Bharat Ratna recipient taught at the Calcutta Medical College and helped establish many medical institutions in India, such as the Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital and the Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for women and children.