Practo’s #WhoIsADoctor Campaign Redefines the Meaning of Care

On National Doctor’s Day 2025, digital healthcare platform Practo launched a thought-provoking campaign, #WhoIsADoctor, challenging India to rethink what it truly means to be a doctor. In a world where doctors are often seen as clinical professionals—writing prescriptions, giving diagnoses, and moving to the next case—Practo’s campaign shines a light on the unseen, deeply human side of medical care.

Beyond Prescriptions: The Human Story of Doctors

The heart of the campaign is a short film that shares real-life stories of patients who turned to doctors during personal or family emergencies. These stories, raw and emotional, reveal doctors not just as healers but as pillars of support—offering reassurance, empathy, and calm in moments of crisis. The film was launched across Practo’s social media platforms and shared with its vast network of over 5 lakh doctors, ensuring it reached both the medical community and the public at large.

Practo’s co-founder, Siddhartha Nihalani, explained the campaign’s purpose:

“As a company that has worked with doctors for over 17 years and served more than 50 crore patients, we’ve witnessed firsthand how doctors go far beyond their duty. This campaign is our tribute to the human side of healthcare—to the empathy, resilience, and commitment doctors show every single day”.

Who Is a Doctor? A Fundamental Question

By posing the question, “Who is a doctor?”, Practo reframes the conversation around healthcare. The campaign asks viewers to look past the white coat and stethoscope, and see the person who sits with a patient’s family late into the night, breaks difficult news with compassion, or remains calm in the face of uncertainty. It’s a call to recognize the emotional labor and personal sacrifices doctors make every day—work that often goes unnoticed in the rush of clinical routines.

A Celebration of Unsung Moments

The #WhoIsADoctor campaign is a celebration of the stories we rarely see:

• The doctor who listens patiently to a worried parent
• The physician who comforts a frightened patient
• The surgeon who reassures a family waiting outside the operating room

These moments, Practo argues, are as important as any prescription or diagnosis. They are the foundation of trust and healing in the doctor-patient relationship.

Why This Campaign Matters

In India, National Doctor’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a public acknowledgement of the critical role doctors play in society. The 2025 theme, “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?”, highlights not only doctors’ dedication to their patients but also the importance of caring for their mental health and well-being. Practo’s campaign fits perfectly into this context, reminding everyone that doctors are human beings with emotions, challenges, and a deep commitment to service.

Practo’s Ongoing Commitment

This is not the first time Practo has celebrated the human side of medicine. Previous campaigns like #PrescriptionForHappiness have also focused on demystifying the doctor-patient relationship and highlighting the compassion behind every interaction. With #WhoIsADoctor, Practo continues its mission to build a healthcare system where doctors are respected, protected, and appreciated—not just for their expertise, but for their humanity.

Practo’s #WhoIsADoctor campaign is a timely reminder that doctors are much more than medical experts—they are caregivers, confidants, and everyday heroes. As India celebrates National Doctor’s Day, this campaign encourages everyone to honor the empathy, resilience, and quiet strength that define the true spirit of a doctor.