Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 23: Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), formerly known as Manipal University, was born and brought up in Udupi. He had his education till pre-university at Udupi and completed his MBBS degree from the Government Medical College, Mysuru. He completed his post-graduation in radiology from Bangalore Medical College.

Dr Ballal went on to have training in ultrasound and CT scan at St Louis University, Missouri, USA and joined as faculty in Radio Diagnosis at Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru in 1971. He then went up the ladder and became the pro-chancellor of MAHE in 2007. He has been associated with Manipal Group for over 45 years.

Dr Ballal has received a number of awards, honours, and held various posts like the chairman of the higher education committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, member of Medical Council of India, union ministry of health, member of Academic Committee, Medical Council of India, New Delhi and member of Board of Management of JSS University, Mysuru.

Daijiworld caught up with him and raised a few questions to Dr Ballal who has in-depth knowledge in various fields, in the background of the current volatility let loose by the coronavirus pandemic.

Q. MAHE, Manipal, is the first institution in the state to exclusively offer a private hospital for COVID treatment, that too free of cost. How did this idea emerge?

A. If coronavirus was not controlled in time, the entire 130 crore population of India would have been in trouble. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took the lockdown decision faster than the other countries. The government had decided to open COVID hospitals in all the districts, taluks and states. In Karnataka, all government hospitals except Udupi were transformed into COVID hospitals. Victoria Hospital at Bengaluru and Wenlock Hospital at Mangaluru too are now exclusive COVID hospitals. Udupi district deputy commissioner had approached us with a request to provide treatment for this disease. If treatment for coronavirus is started in a hospital, the other people become apprehensive. Therefore, we transformed TMA Pai Hospital which has 120 beds and 20 ICU facilities into COVID hospital. This avoided the need for people to come to Manipal. Manipal Group believes in serving others and providing education and health services.

Q. How has the government helped?

A. We have agreed to provide treatment to the people from our district only, that too free of cost. KMC doctors are serving at this hospital 24 hours a day. Our district was initially in the green zone. Because of people coming from other states, districts and countries, the positive cases have increased. We believe that things are under control now.

Q. Your medical team and staff have been working actively. What is your take on their hard work and dedication?

A. We term the current situation as 'Corona War'. The doctors, nurses and paramedical staff are the soldiers in this war. They have taken the lead to launch fight against the pandemic. It is difficult to train them, instil confidence in them, and prepare them for the battle. Several members of the staff have stayed in the hospital without going home so that they can render their service. We need to recognize this service and honour them. Our management has been doing that. We are very happy with the way our staff has been working. We assert that the medical staff are the real soldiers in this war against COVID.

Q. We have to live with corona hereafter. How should people change their lifestyle to protect their health and be safe?

A. Yes. We have to live. It is a reality. Many viruses have come in the past, and vaccines have been invented. Recently we have also succeeded in finding a vaccine against pneumonia. Experts are confident of coming out with vaccine within six months or a year. Research is progressing in India and other countries on this issue. Until then we have to take all precautions to live with the disease. We have to practice personal hygiene in public spaces.

Q. Do you not think that lockdown has brought a number of changes, including in our life? We seem to have learnt some lessons too.

A. Health protection and resumption of some old traditions. We can take these things positively. In the past, meetings, functions were organized in homes. Now we hold them on a lavish scale. People have now learnt about civic sense. Relationships and mutual relationships, humanitarian qualities, have gained. At the same time, financial growth has also become an important aspect.

Q. Some people have suffered a crisis in this situation by becoming unemployed and suffering a financial crunch. Minds have been drained. In your words, how can we reinstate self-confidence in them?

A. Self-confidence is very important. 'Man lives on hopes unless hopes no one lives'. With self-confidence, the resistance against diseases improves. All the fields and industries have collapsed due to lockdown. Many have been deprived of their jobs and livelihood. Therefore, people need to maintain high self-confidence to face this situation. In a few months, the hopes are that the situation will return to normalcy. We should keep on living with the belief that things will improve. When we have enthusiasm, we can always find new things. In the past, the concept of family doctors was in vogue. These doctors used to have good relations with the family. When the doctors said a few good words, the patients used to feel far better. But in the recent past, there have been certain allegations. People do commit mistakes in all sectors. The people have lost patience. Doctors do not give any prescriptions without any reason. Sometimes mistakes can happen on both sides. But people should not generalise these things.

Q. What is your take on online education that is in discussion everywhere? Children of which age can be given online classes?

A. Recently, the science and technology sectors are progressing exponentially. But we have to strike a balance in using technology in education. Technology should complement education, not supplement it. For college students, under current circumstances, online classes might be necessary. Many who went to their native places are unable to return. If we do not take care of them, their academic year may go waste. Over 70 per cent of children live in a rural area. But for poor children, internet facility and laptop becomes a problem.

In my opinion, for small children, it is better to teach in schools. For rural children, they are not aware of the uses of online education and therefore it is not an alternative for rural children. The government is right in this aspect.

Internet connectivity in rural places should be improved. Uses of technology are more. But we should maintain a balance between practical classes and online ones. In our institute, we conduct several programmes online we do not have any alternative. But conferences and interactions should be organized frequently to keep the administration active.

Q. Perhaps during the last two months, our economic condition has slid back by 10 years. How to revive the situation?

A. Because of the corona crisis, all the countries in the world have suffered financial losses. All outdoor activities have become absent. Many have lost jobs. In the past, many such things have happened, and this will not continue in future. Everything will get activated. Lockdown has been lifted to maintain people's lives and financial system on a level. In phases, financial activities are opening up. The government has come out with encouraging package. At the same time, there is difficulty in the job front. Definitely it will take some time for financial activities to gain recovery. Do not give up hopes.

Q. What changes have to be brought about in the education system to brighten the future of our youngsters?

A. Changes are definitely required. Founder of Manipal group of institutions, Tonse Madhava Pai gave birth to the 'Academy of General Education' in 1942. Those who failed in SSLC were given skill development training. The education we get should complement the jobs. Now there is a gap between education and industry. That is why people are not getting jobs. Skill Development Training should be imparted. As much as 65 per cent of Indians are aged under 35. That is an advantage to us. The current day youngsters will be the future leaders of our country. No other country has that power with them. They are our real wealth. If they get an education that is employment-oriented, India will achieve progress.

Q. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is laying more emphasis on the concept of being self-reliant. The youngsters have to work in support of this concept, right?

A. We can move forward in life only if we become self-reliant. This is very much necessary. We should go searching for opportunities. We have to develop our skills and shape our career. Our youngsters have good opportunities. They have to use them.

Q. How have certain health-related schemes of the government benefitted society? How far have they succeeded in reaching the people?

A. Ayushman Bharat schemes are available in all the hospitals of the Manipal group. The government has made it mandatory for all the hospitals to implement this scheme. This is a large scale scheme helping people living below the poverty line and middle-class families.

Q. Will TMA Pai hospital continue to be reserved for COVID even in future?

A. The treatment facility will be available here until July end. We will withdraw thereafter. We have brought this to the notice of the deputy commissioner. We will be opening a 40-bed infectious diseases ward at KMC Manipal. That will be separate. TMA Pai Hospital will be sanitized and open for treatment as before.

Q. Will COVID-like viruses keep appearing even in future?

A. Definitely. There is no doubt. Viruses keep changing. Even after vaccines are found, the diseases do not stop as new diseases might emerge. Doctors, scientists and researchers are always ready for research. The viruses will be a part of life.

Q. People are not yet openly coming out in public places. What is your message to such people?

A. We cannot lead life hiding inside the house fearing this disease. We have to take precautions to protect our health. We need to take care to make sure that the disease does not spread from one to another. For people from a small age to around 50, the disease appears like flu before disappearing. For people having low resistance against disease like cancer, kidney problem, the disease creates serious problems fast. The people have to change their food system, consume more food containing protein and fibre. They should practice yoga and do regular exercises. Life must go on. Youngsters should come out, take precautions, and go about their work as usual. Only then will the country prosper.