Statue of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy (1882–1962): An epitome of healthcare in politics

Editor

A beautifully engraved sculpture of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy towers over the bustling streets of Kolkata, India. Carved with the intention of immortalizing his contributions, his statue remains a testament not only to his medical work but also to the overhaul of political affairs and advancement of public health in West Bengal during its seemingly turbulent era (Figure 1).

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Figure 1.

Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy's statue in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Upon graduating from Calcutta Medical College, Dr Roy left for England to pursue further medical training at St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he obtained membership in the Royal College of Physicians, and a fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons within 3 years. He returned to India in 1911. ¹ His interest in politics stemmed from his firm belief in the ongoing independence movement. Dr Roy is often remembered for his quote, ‘politics means doing something for the betterment of the people, their conditions of life and the improvement in their environments’. It was this desire to improve the environment of his patients that drew him to partake in a political enterprise. He became actively involved in the Congress Party. Following the party's expression of a no-confidence in Dr Prafulla Ghosh (then Leader and Chief Minister of West Bengal), Dr Roy was appointed Party Chief and consequently became the second Chief Minister of West Bengal in 1948. He was re-elected several times and served as Chief Minister until his death in 1962.

Probably stemming from his background as a physician, Dr Roy had an unwavering resolve to improve healthcare in West Bengal during his tenure. Prior to his appointment, West Bengal had less than 70 health centres. Dr Roy's tenure would see the number of health centres rise to 271. In addition, the number of maternity centres increased to 96, leprosy clinics raised to 92, and 16 malaria control units was established throughout the state. Dr Roy also supported the establishment of the state's first polio clinic and worked to exponentially increase the number of tuberculosis control establishments. ² His tenure would also see the establishment of a number of universities. He believed that education was a direct tool to prosperity; he would seemingly establish educational institutions specifically in those areas that were the most deprived, as a method to further education amongst the natives. Surprisingly, despite being so actively involved in state affairs, ³ Dr Roy never let go of medical practice; he would conduct ward rounds every day before attending to state affairs.

On 1 July 1962, at the age of 80, Dr Roy passed away. Even on his last day, he conducted his duties with full conviction; beginning the day with ward rounds, and then attending to daily affairs of state. ⁴ Dr Roy, both an excellent physician and an ardent administrator, during his lifetime, fostered an unlikely bridge between medicine and politics, serves as the inspiration to a number of Indians till date.