The day was first observed in 1991 in honour of the former Bengal’s Chief Minister Dr BC Roy to recognise his contribution to serving humanity. Dr Roy was a great doctor who made an enormous contribution to the medical field. He was born on July 1, 1882, and died on a similar date in 1962.

He was also conferred with the honour of Bharat Ratna, on February 4, 1961. He played a significant role in establishing medical institutions like Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution (college), Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital and the Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for women and children. He was also called the first medical consultant in the subcontinent of India who towered over his contemporaries in several fields by British Medical journal.