Mangaluru: Doctors, postgraduate medical students and interns at Wenlock District Hospital have been directed to communicate with patients in Kannada to ensure better patient care and avoid communication difficulties.
District Surgeon and Superintendent Dr Shivaprakash issued the instruction following complaints that some doctors, postgraduate students and interns were not interacting with patients in Kannada, causing inconvenience to many visitors seeking treatment at the hospital.
According to the directive, a large number of patients visiting Wenlock Hospital are from Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts, with many of them primarily speaking Kannada. Authorities observed that language barriers were affecting communication between healthcare providers and patients.
The hospital administration also noted complaints that some doctors and students were not adequately informing patients and their relatives about treatment procedures and the progress of medical care.
In view of these concerns, all medical personnel have been instructed to communicate with patients in Kannada while providing treatment and related services.
The order further states that students arriving from other states must learn Kannada within three months of joining. Until then, they have been advised to seek assistance from other staff members in their respective departments while communicating with patients.