Kannada Prescriptions in Karnataka: A Step Towards Linguistic Inclusivity, But Is It Practical?
Recently, the Karnataka government issued an order requiring doctors to write prescriptions in the local language, Kannada, to help patients better understand their treatments. In response, several doctors took the initiative to comply with this directive by writing prescriptions entirely in Kannada.
One of the first doctors to take this step was Dr. Sanjay Raghavendra, an orthopedic specialist from Chitradurga. He gained significant attention after a prescription he wrote entirely in Kannada went viral on social media. A user on X (formerly Twitter) commended his efforts, saying that more doctors should follow his example to make healthcare more accessible for patients.
Following Dr. Raghavendra’s lead, Dr. Murali, a dentist from Hosangadi, also began writing prescriptions in Kannada. His initiative was praised by Karnataka Doctors’ Association (KDA) Chairman Purushotham Bilimal. Bilimal further urged Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, to make writing prescriptions in Kannada mandatory for all doctors in the state. He argued that this move would help preserve the Kannada language and strengthen the state's identity, emphasizing that the government should take steps to formalize the practice.
Bilimal also highlighted the benefits of this approach, explaining that it would bridge the gap between doctors and patients by improving communication. He believes that writing prescriptions in Kannada can lead to better patient outcomes, as they would be more likely to follow medical advice when it’s written in a language they understand.
If government doctors working in health centers, taluk and district hospitals across the state prioritize 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.
Purushotham Bilimal, KDA Chairman
The call to action has sparked a broader discussion among the medical community and government officials about the need to ensure linguistic inclusivity in healthcare. While some doctors are supportive, others have raised concerns about the potential challenges of implementing this on a larger scale, particularly in areas where medical terminology may not easily translate into Kannada.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly said mandating Kannada would not be practical. He also said, “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.”
The debate continues, with growing support for the initiative from both patients and medical professionals who believe that embracing the local language could bring about significant improvements in patient care.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
