Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
On 1 July, India celebrates Doctor's Day. This year–like last year– the significance of this day sticks out, perhaps more than it ever has.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its horrors need no reminding, but with every one of us that was touched by COVID's menacing hands, there has been a doctor, a 'covid warrior' who's had our backs.
They have been there in the frontlines, shouldering the weight of healing the nation, sweating and heaving in their PPE kits, on their for days with no rest, and some still found the spirit to dance their way through it.
They have borne it all, but while on the one hand they have been called 'warriors' and martyrs, they have also been demonised, beaten and berated when they failed to live up to the demigod status.
On their overworked shoulders we have laid the responsibility of building back the health of our nation.
But, "a healer can't heal alone," says Dr Shivangi Shankar MBBS, from Bangalore.
'It takes a village': A poem by Dr Shivangi Shankar
It takes a village to restore health
and you can throw all of your wealth
even the last penny on loan
But here is a fact relatively unknown
or unaccepted at least: a healer cannot heal alone.
It takes a village to restore health.
The nurse who tinctures, connects your drips
collects blood, fluid, offers tablets and sips.
The Ayaah who cleans and shifts and dresses
The restorer of order, the organiser of messes.
The counsellor who talks and finds your deepest ail
the one who listens when all else fail.
The lab tech who measures your suffering, reports
Compares it all, puts it in notes.
The politician, the ASHA, the ANM and the journo
Who raise awareness, mobilise, prevent health infernos.
It takes the patient and caregivers too
To sustain hope, start life anew.
The hospital kitchen and all its staff
this list goes on, not even half
the team is covered yet.
The point of stating this in rhyme
Is that even today I can bet
You think healing is the doctors' job.
And really some doctors think that too
Some revel in it some feel blue
Some try to be all but that's all they do.
It is not uncommon that one alone
tries to fill all roles, all on their own.
But it takes a village. Not a hero or two
it takes a village to do what they do.
And so this job description is a little skewed.
Makeshift solutions have continued
in the long term, and this compensation
of the lack of teams, needs deliberation
for the celebration of doctors shall be in vain
if you refuse to acknowledge this truth plain-
It takes a village to restore health
so ask the treasurers of your wealth
to give to your doctors, a team and support
ask them when you cast your vote
ask them for your right to be
taken care of by the village and the team.
Be there, before and after, too
Health requires a village and you
The doctor requires health too.
The doctor requires a village and you.
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