Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 8: District surgeon and superintendent of Wenlock District Hospital, Dr Shivaprakash, has directed doctors, postgraduate students and interns to communicate with patients in Kannada while providing treatment and related services at the hospital.

The directive comes in response to complaints from patients and their relatives regarding language barriers faced during treatment. A large number of economically weaker patients from Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts, most of whom speak Kannada, visit the hospital for medical care.

According to the hospital administration, it has been observed that some doctors, postgraduate students and interns are not communicating in Kannada, causing inconvenience to patients. Complaints have also been received that some medical personnel fail to adequately explain treatment procedures and the progress of treatment to patients and their family members.

In view of these concerns, Dr Shivaprakash has instructed all medical staff and students to interact with patients in Kannada.

He further stated that students coming from other states must learn Kannada within three months of joining the institution. Until then, they have been advised to seek assistance from other staff members in their respective departments while communicating with patients.