Mysuru:  “It is a matter of great concern that life style diseases are on the rise in the society,” said Dr. C.N. Manjunath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research,  Bengaluru.

He was speaking after inaugurating a seminar on The life and writings of Dr.S.P. Yoganna at Sarada Vilas College Centenary Hall at Krishnamurthypuram here yesterday.

The seminar was jointly organised by the State Unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, to honour Dr.S.P. Yoganna on his election as the Chairperson of Kannada Doctor Writers First State Level Conference to take place at Mangaluru in May this year.

Regretting that lifestyle disease have seen an abnormal  rise over the years even as new innovation have come up in medical research, Dr. Manjunath blamed changing lifestyles for rising health disorders.

Pointing out that medical education is taught only in English, he said that this was the main reason on why medical professionals cannot concentrate on conversing in Kannada.

Noting that language was no barrier for expansion of knowledge, intelligence and technology, Dr. Manjunath observed that language is not a barrier for professional achievements.

Maintaining that medical professionals apart from using all their knowledge and skills in treating patients, should also display humanity, he underlined the need for educating the public on the physical and mental stress caused by excessive use of mobile phones, electronic gadget and other communication devices.

Lauding Dr. S.P. Yoganna for becoming the Chairperson of Kannada Doctor Writers meet, Dr. Manjunath called for publication of more medical articles in Kannada, so that even a laymen can easily understand what all was needed for maintaining good health.

Political power tackles social evils

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Yoganna opined that political power was needed to tackle social evils like casteism, religious fanaticism and corruption but contended that such power should be with good and able leaders with noteworthy credentials. He recalled his active participation in politics for about a decade before realising that medical profession was more noble and ideal for him.

Continuing, Dr. Yoganna said that along with the health of body, mind and society, spiritual health too needs recognition and importance. He contended that medical education should be imparted in Kannada once the Kannada Medical Encyclopaedia comes through and wished that engineering education too would follow suit. Dr. S. Chikkamoga of Bengaluru released a booklet on Dr.S.P. Yoganna titled Vaidyayogi on the occasion.

IMA State President Dr. Madhusudhan Karigannur, Senior Vice-President Dr. Suresh Rudrappa, Secretary Dr. Jayanth, IMA Mysuru President Dr. Prakash, Dr. Nagendra Prasad, Dr. V. Rajendra of Government Ayurveda College, Mysuru, Dr. Karaveeraprabhu Kyalakonda of Badami and others were present.