Dr Jitendra invokes Dr B C Roy’s legacy for restoring doctor-patient trust

Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 13 : Paying rich tribute to Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, the world renowned physician and doyen of medical academics, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today invoked Dr B.C. Roy’s legacy to emphasise the importance of restoring doctor-patient trust which was the hallmark of Dr Roy’s times in the first half of the 20th century.
Dr Jitendra Singh was, as chief guest, speaking at the Doctors Day celebration organized by the national body of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here.
National President IMA Dr Bhanushali, President elect Dr Naik and Immediate Past President Dr Asoken were present along with other national office bearers of IMA.
Addressing a packed audience of medical professionals, Dr. Jitendra Singh invoked the legacy of Dr. B.C. Roy, reflecting on his immense contribution to both medicine and nation-building. “One of the greatest traits of Dr. Roy was the unwavering trust he and his contemporaries commanded in society, without compromising his consultation fee or ethics,” he said.
“Dr. Roy charged a consultation fee of over Rs 66 in the 1940s and nobody questioned it. Today, we must ask ourselves – why has the same trust eroded?” he asked, calling for a revival of the doctor-patient trust, which, he emphasized, was the hallmark of Dr. Roy’s era.
Dr. Jitendra Singh urged the medical fraternity to reclaim the dignity, integrity, and social faith that once defined the noble profession, while emphasizing that the changing perception of doctors stems not from individual failings alone but from larger shifts in societal values.
Recalling the legacy of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Minister described it as a “pillar of Indian healthcare,” and lauded it as the largest and oldest body of medical practitioners in the country.
Founded in 1928 during the 5th All India Medical Conference in Calcutta, IMA stands today as a formidable national force representing over 3.3 lakh doctors through 1,750+ local branches across 34 States and Union Territories. With its headquarters in Delhi, the IMA has remained at the forefront of shaping healthcare policy, strengthening medical ethics and promoting public health awareness.
Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the visionaries who gave birth to the Association during politically turbulent times – legendary names such as Dr. B.C. Roy, Dr. M.A. Ansari, Sir Nil Ratan Sircar, and Col. Bhola Nath – noting that many among them also played active roles in India’s freedom struggle.
“Their mission was clear – to promote advancement of medical sciences, improve public health, and uphold the dignity of the profession. That mission is more relevant today than ever before,” Dr. Singh said.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is himself a noted Professor of Medicine and Diabetologist, offered deeply personal reflections on the changing face of medicine in India.
The Minister highlighted the shift from a time dominated by infectious diseases to a present-day dual burden of communicable as well as non-communicable diseases, creating both challenges and opportunities for Indian doctors and researchers.
“You name the disease – we have it in India. That’s why global researchers increasingly look to India,” he said.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also spoke about the paradox of India’s demographic profile. “We are a young country with over 70% of the population under 42, yet at the same time, we are ageing rapidly. Life expectancy has increased from 50 years in the 1950s to over 70 years today. This shift calls for a new curriculum, a new mindset and a new model of medical practice,” he noted.
The Minister emphasized the urgent need for a holistic, integrated approach to healthcare, blending modern allopathic medicine with AYUSH systems and cutting-edge technological advancements.
He cited yoga as an effective tool in managing chronic diseases and called for dissolving silos between different systems of medicine, encouraging openness to integration rather than skepticism.
Concluding his address, Dr. Singh called upon doctors to introspect and adapt, emphasizing the importance of “unlearning and relearning” in an era defined by rapid technological change – including AI-assisted surgery, robotic diagnostics and telemedicine.
The event witnessed the presence of prominent leaders from the medical community, including Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, National President of IMA; Dr. R.V. Asokan, Former President; Dr. Anil Kumar Nayak, President (Elect) along with several senior members of the fraternity from across the country.

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