During the recent celebration of National Surgeons' Day in India, it became evident that not all heroes are clad in white coats in brightly lit hospitals. Some spend 12 hours straight in frigid operating rooms, frequently without food, making split-second decisions that determine whether a patient survives or dies. This day was not just a celebration at hospitals like Paras Health, where celebrations were performed throughout the organisation; it was also a reminder that India's surgical staff remains one of the most overloaded and underappreciated elements of the healthcare system. 

"Surgeons are the backbone of any hospital," stated Vineet Aggarwal, Group COO of Paras Health. "Yet their contributions often go unseen outside the operating room." In a country like India, where the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery reports a catastrophic shortage of over 500,000 skilled surgeons, anaesthetists, and obstetricians, his statements are particularly relevant. That means there are fewer than 10 surgeons per 100,000 people, or less than one-third of the recommended level. 

While Paras Health celebrated its surgical personnel with certificates, seminars, and testimonials under the subject 'More than Hands: The Heart Behind Every Surgery', the bigger national issue of India's surgical systems remained unaddressed. Basic surgeries, such as hernia repair or C-sections, are frequently delayed in remote locations due to a lack of access, infrastructure, or manpower. According to the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, surgical complications cause roughly 10% of all preventable deaths in low- and middle-income countries. 

Events like these provide opportunities for contemplation. At Paras Health, renowned surgeons demonstrated complicated situations and medical accomplishments. However, every such win is the result of years of effort, sleepless nights, and intense psychological stress. Surgeons have some of the highest burnout rates among all healthcare practitioners. A study published in BMJ Open in 2023 discovered that more than half of Indian surgeons experienced burnout symptoms, including emotional tiredness and a decreased sense of personal success. 

Paras Health's project has effectively shown that empathy and quality must go hand in hand. Recognising doctors as humans under enormous pressure is a critical step forward. However, India needs stronger governmental initiatives, such as additional medical colleges with surgical training, more equitable doctor distribution, more mental health assistance, and technology that alleviates rather than increases the burden.