EDITORIAL:-
“Doctors Deserve Respect, Not Worship”
Don’t Call Doctors Gods – Just See Them as Humans, That’s Enough ‘said a doctor’
In India, people often call doctors “equal to God.” But the truth is, the same doctors are now facing distrust, pressure, and even violence from society. A doctor’s life may look respected from the outside, but deep inside, it is full of struggle, sacrifice, and stress. The journey begins early, when a student gives up fun, sleep, and social life to prepare for a tough medical entrance exam like NEET. Out of millions, only a few students get into a government medical college, and even that is just the start of a long, difficult road.
The study of medicine is not just about books. It’s a test of patience, strength, and mental balance. For years, medical students wake up early, attend hospital duties, handle patients, stand for hours in operation theatres, and deal with life-and-death situations. They touch dead bodies for the first time, face crying families, and learn to stay strong even when they feel weak inside. This is not just education — it’s emotional training for a lifetime.
After MBBS, the journey still doesn’t end. Doctors who want to specialize must go through another tough exam and years of more hard work. Even those who start working as doctors have no fixed rest. Long shifts of 10 to 12 hours, emergency duties at night, and non-stop pressure become normal. But the bigger challenge comes not from the work, but from the expectations of patients. Many people believe a good doctor should find the problem at first glance, avoid tests, and give a medicine that works instantly. When this doesn’t happen, people blame the doctor, sometimes even abuse or attack them.
Doctors are expected to work like machines, never make mistakes, and always save lives — even with limited resources. But we forget that doctors are humans too. They feel tired, worried, and hurt. And yet, they show up every day, ready to save others. Many doctors face pressure from politicians or VIPs. When a patient dies, the first person to be blamed is the doctor — no matter how hard he or she tried.
In many cases, angry crowds damage hospitals or threaten doctors. These actions are not only unfair, but dangerous for society. A well-known doctor recently said, “Please don’t treat us like Gods — just treat us as humen, and that will mean a lot.” This one line expresses everything. Doctors are not perfect. They have hearts, emotions, and families. But they still serve day and night, without complaint, often without sleep, doing their best to heal others.
The biggest strength of doctors is not just knowledge — it’s their patience. Even when they are exhausted, they take one more case, one more emergency, one more chance to save a life. This quiet strength is what makes them special. But calling them God is not helpful. It builds unrealistic expectations. What they really need is understanding, support, and safety.
When a patient gets better, people say “God saved them.” But when something goes wrong, people say “The doctor failed.” This is unfair. The same doctor who left their family, skipped meals, and stayed awake all night for the patient suddenly becomes the villain. Being a doctor is not just a job — it’s a responsibility and a sacrifice. They don’t need worship. They need respect, safety, and empathy.
So next time you meet a doctor, don’t bow like they are a God. Just smile, say thank you, and remember — behind every white coat, there’s a human being who’s fighting for your life, quietly, every day.
Bk sood
Chief Editor Tricity Times
