Manipal Hospitals facilitates 41 inpatients to cast vote in Lok Sabha polls

Bengaluru: Manipal Hospitals Group facilitated the voting process of 41 medically-fit inpatients during the Lok Sabha polls on Friday, with the help of city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Utilizing their ambulance service, the hospital administration ensured that patients could exercise their democratic right conveniently. Green corridors were established across constituencies to facilitate smooth and hassle-free voting.

According to a PTI report, Chief Operating Officer of Manipal Hospitals Karthik Rajagopal said that the patients were escorted to the polling stations in hospital-designated vehicles, after a comprehensive health assessment and receiving clearance from their attending physicians.

Among them was 39-year-old H N Muralidhar who was scheduled for a minimally invasive surgical procedure at noon on Friday.

Determined to cast his ballot before the procedure, he told PTI that voting was his right, and despite getting ready for surgery, he opted to vote for “five years of democracy.” “I cast my vote in Chikkaballapur Constituency. What I want to say to the youngsters is that voting is not just a privilege but a duty — a duty to ensure that the voices of citizens are heard and that the government represents the will of the people,” Muralidhar said.

The patients, across all age groups ranging from 25 to 103 years, included survivors of colon cancer, individuals who underwent total knee replacement surgery and dialysis, an accident victim, and those suffering from various medical conditions such as UTI and anaemia, Subacute Intestinal Obstruction, Acute Kidney injury, High BP, Pneumonia, and heart ailments.

A year ago, a patient named Raja was rushed to Manipal Hospital in Sarjapur with a severe head injury after a road accident. Though the doctors managed to save his life, he lost his vision and was put on ventilator support. However, he was out of danger.

Today, as he continues to recover, Raja’s spirit is unbroken by the trials he has faced. “With gratitude in my heart, I proudly exercised my right to vote today,” he said.