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 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 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.