Karnataka Doctors Start Writing Prescriptions in Kannada

Bengaluru: After the Kannada Development Authority suggested that the medical practitioners in the State start writing prescriptions in Kannada, a few doctors in the State have started doing so to promote the local language i.e. Kannada in the State.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Kannada Development Authority had urged the State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to issue an order making it mandatory for doctors working in all government health centres and hospitals to write prescriptions in the State's official language.

Apart from this, the KDA Chairperson Purushottam Bilimale also suggested felicitating doctors every year on Doctors' Day at taluk, district, and state-level in recognition of their love for Kannada and "their activities in favour of the language".

The KDA Chief had requested the minister to create an atmosphere where Kannada-loving doctors working in private hospitals and their heads too are encouraged to use the language.

Also Read: Karnataka Health Minister urged to mandate writing doctors prescriptions in Kannada

Following this, recently, an orthopedics doctor- Sanjay Raghavendra, who is based in Karnataka's Chitradurga, wrote the entire prescription for his patient in Kannada. The prescription issued by him went viral on social media and the doctor received praises from the Kannada activists. "His name is Dr Sanjay he writes prescriptions in Kannada. Make him famous. We Kannadigas should bring more Sanjays to the fore," wrote an X (formerly Twitter) user.

Another dental doctor, Muralee Mohan in Hosangadi, also opted for Kannada to write prescriptions for his patient. Sharing the slip, KDA Chairman Purushotham Bilimal wrote, "Hosangadi Dr. Murali Mohan has written the prescription beautifully in Kannada. Let's congratulate him."

Dr. Muralee Mohana Choontharu's prescription in Kannada language to a seven-year-old patient soon became viral. Apart from being inspired by Prof Bilimale's appeal. Dr. Choonthary decided to set an example as the Secretary of Mangaluru Taluk Sahitya Parishat and a member of Karnataka Sahitya Parishat's advisory board, Deccan Herald has reported.

"My brother Nakesha Choontharu, a software engineering residing near California in USA, sent a picture of USA Kannada sangha sharing pictures of my Kannada prescription. Doctors appreciated me for writing the date and even signing in Kannada language. Two doctors in Belagavi have vowed to write prescriptions in Kannada," he told the Daily.

"My customers, residing in Kerala state are still emotionally attached to Karnataka. Thus many of them welcomed my prescriptions in Kannada," he added.

"After 28 years of writing prescriptions in English language in a handwriting understood only by my wife Dr Rajashree Mohan and pharmacist, it has been an unlearning experience so far. The prescriptions in Kannada are neat and legible as I am highly conscious. It might be impractical to write prescription in Kannada for hundreds of patients initially. But over a period of time, it will not seem difficult. There might be some words in English. But every one of us should appreciate the change which has a positive ring to it," Dr. Choontharu, who is serving as DK District Home Guards Commandant added.

Recently urging the Karnataka Health Minister to make it mandatory for doctors in the State to write prescriptions in Kannada, KDA Chief Bilimal had mentioned, "If government doctors working in health centres, taluk and district hospitals across the state prioritise Kannada while writing prescriptions, it will be a major step towards protecting Kannada identity. I request you to look into it and mandate prescriptions in Kannada."

He further mentioned that it was the demands of the doctors to make it a mandatory practice for them. He added, "After reading about it in the media, hundreds of doctors voluntarily have expressed to me that they will start writing prescriptions in Kannada to save the language."

However, as per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, the State Health Minister had mentioned that it was not a practical idea to mandate Kannada in the area, adding that "The flexibility is very important when it comes to medical terms as people’s health is involved in it. If doctors can write prescriptions in Kannada, it is good. But making it a mandatory practice is not a practical idea."

Also Read: How to write a Prescription: Check out NMC's Prescription guidelines for doctors