National Doctors Day: ‘We are humans with feelings at the end of the day’

DIMAPUR— Doctors not only treat and cure diseases; their very presence comes as a source of hope for patients. Their calmness gives the impression that they are unaffected by distressing and emotional situations but their profession is so demanding that it can take a toll on their lives.

On the occasion of National Doctors Day, which is celebrated on July 1 to recognise and honour the contributions of physicians to the society, Eastern Mirror spoke to some medical professionals to know their untold stories.

A Naga doctor (who wished to remain anonymous) working at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Guwahati, told this newspaper that medical professionals face many challenges.

Medicine is a field that changes with newer knowledge, updates and changes keep coming, because of which doctors need to keep their knowledge up-to-date through conferences and Continuing Medical Education (CME), he said.

“In brief, learning and studying is a never ending process in this profession,” he added.

However, he said that it becomes difficult to even attend conferences if posted in peripheral hospitals due to many reasons like transportation and bad road conditions.

“Being a doctor, one is always on duty regardless of duty hours. For example, even if the doctor is on leave, they are always ready to give online consultation through phone calls or text messages if a patient is in need of a doctor’s guidance and advices or even the hospital,” he said, adding that doctors also go through emotional stress though it may vary from person to person. 

He also said ‘there is a lot to be done by the government of Nagaland in the health sector, especially the need to set up medical colleges which can handle difficult cases and also train the upcoming students’.

“It is very shameful that there are still no medical colleges in our state although one is coming up this year. Nagaland is the only state without a medical college, while there are lots to do in all levels of healthcare in the state. We don’t even get basic medicine in the Primary Health Centre, and even if we get, which happens very infrequently, we receive medicines which are going to expire in few months,” he shared.

He also opined that the higher authorities must be involved in this regard as pharmaceutical companies give medicines at throwaway price if not for free. 

Another doctor, who wished to remain anonymous and is posted in an interior part of the state, said that they are well trained to cope with the daily stress that comes with their profession but that doesn’t mean they are immune to it.

“It takes a lot of effort to be a doctor. Doctors have to sacrifice the extra free time as well when there are emergency cases and continue with their duty as saving lives is their priority. Although a doctor may be going through their own personal stress related to work or family or the environment they are in; the emotional stress doctors go through when a patient loses their life is immense,” he shared.

He said that even though doctors develop resilience in managing challenges, they still are humans with feelings at the end of the day.

On the health sector in the state, the doctor pointed out that the urban area has facilities but rural areas are far behind both in terms of facilities and commitment from the health workers posted in such areas.

“As the nation commemorates Doctors’ Day, I hope that doctors continue to work with the same passion, even those posted in rural areas. Also, that better health facilities and infrastructure are provided in the state, which will be an advantage for the people and the doctors as well,” he said.

Between children and hospital

Dr. Rosie (name changed on request), who works at a private hospital in Dimapur, said it’s not easy to adjust family and professional life.

“Working full time with a child or children is very hard. Juggling between motherhood and around-the-clock profession, not just in medical but any profession, can be very difficult and exhausting,” she said.

The doctor revealed that prior to joining the private hospital, she was working at a government-run health centre but as a doctor mother, she could not cope with juggling between her posting place and staying away from her very young children. 

“I used to wonder how mothers with medical career coped with the demanding nature of the work and their families. But having experienced the same situation, I have a great sense of respect for mothers with medical career,” she said.     

She has no regrets leaving her government job and joining a private hospital to be closer with her family, but that does not mean she has enough time for her family. She shared that “as a doctor, there are many things we might get involved apart from seeing patients”.

‘As mothers in medical profession, we miss out a lot of our children’s growing years and sometimes we have to let our children down because of our commitment to our profession. But at the end of the day, how stressful or guilty a day may have gone by, as a doctor, we are contended when we see our patients recovering,’ she said.

‘It is enriching and gratifying to be a doctor regardless of the stress we go through,’ she added.

Also read: Nagaland needs 500 more doctors, 2350 nurses as per IPHS, says official