Doctors’ Day: Honoring White-Coated HeroesDoctors’ Day: Honoring White-Coated Heroes In the bustling realm of healthcare, every experience weaves a unique narrative. From the triumph of exceptional care to the anguish of unexpected loss, each encounter leaves an imprint on our lives. And at the heart of these stories lie the dedicated physicians who stand as beacons of hope and healing. Reflecting on a decade immersed in medical education, the author marvels at the enduring allure of the profession. Countless tales unfold within hospital walls, some uplifting, others heart-wrenching. Yet, amidst the triumphs and challenges, one recurring thought lingers: the profound mystery of how the departed vanish with such quiet grace. From the clamor of ambulances to the deafening silence of loss, physicians navigate a kaleidoscope of emotions. The pulse of hospitals beats relentlessly, even when the world sleeps. And doctors find solace in witnessing patients transition from wheelchairs or stretchers to walking out on their own, a testament to their unwavering efforts. Yet, the daily hospital life also brings bittersweet moments. Blood-soaked patients raise alarm, while the loss of a life triggers waves of sorrow. The eyes of grieving loved ones haunt doctors’ minds, while the cries of newborns fill them with joy. The pursuit of medical knowledge and the quest to alleviate suffering elevate physicians to the status of heroes. They embody selfless dedication and unwavering compassion, offering guidance and comfort in the face of adversity. On this Doctor’s Day, let us extend our heartfelt gratitude to these tireless warriors in white coats. Their relentless efforts to save lives and heal the sick make them true beacons of hope. May their tireless service continue to inspire us all. Happy Doctor’s Day to the heroes who stand as pillars of our health and well-being.
DOCTOR’S DAY
By the time I write this nonfiction piece, I have already spent more than a decade in medical school and its associated hospitals. But the excitement of going to medical school isn’t over yet.
When it comes to healthcare, everyone has a story to tell. It could be a positive experience where excellent care was provided and everything went on time, or it could be a negative experience where it didn’t go as expected. It could also be an anecdote about the quality of hospital food or something else. Some have a happy ending, some don’t. For better or worse, this is a hospital experience over a period of time. Some stories give you goosebumps, some stories encourage you.
Although we have survived all odds, stood in the dark, can barely breathe through our masks, felt the sweat pouring over our bodies, but what still haunts me the most is ”how the dead disappear so invisibly”. Considering everything from ‘the buzzing sound of ambulances to the shock of silences’.
There are countless disciplined ways to look at the lives of physicians. It depends on you, how you want to see them, who is there for you 24×7. While the world is in deep sleep, the heartbeat of hospitals continues. And the doctors on duty enjoy the precious moments when they see how patients reach the hospitals on wheelchairs or stretchers and leave the hospitals on their own. That’s probably the best time in any hospital.
Sometimes there are mixed reactions that you experience in daily hospital life. Our hearts always start beating faster when we receive patients in a pool of blood. Every day, or actually every second, we lose a precious life somewhere in any hospital. Your heart sinks the moment you could read the eyes of the accompanying supervisors with the thought processing ‘why us? Why not someone else? Some experience unspeakable grief, loss or sorrow and some experience the first cry of their newborn baby.
Sometimes you have a win-win situation and you have to be super alert to those patients. Human illness keeps us physically and philosophically occupied. We feel a sense of cosmic misfortune. After all, we are human too.
On this Doctor’s Day, which falls on July 1, 2024, let’s celebrate heroes in white coats. Let us take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to the dedicated and compassionate souls who stand strong in times of joy and in times of crisis, offering comfort, guidance and healing with a touch of kindness and a wealth of knowledge. By saving lives with selfless dedication and tireless efforts. The never-ending quest to alleviate suffering makes doctors true heroes.
Happy Doctor’s Day
(Author is Assistant Professor of Transfusion Medicine, Blood Centre Govt. Medical College Baramulla)
