Corona warriors who went down fighting pandemic are martyrs: Dr CN Manjunath

Manjunath is the 1st doctor to inaugurate Dasara festival at Chamundi Hills

dasara Corona warriors being honoured at inauguration of Dasara festivities | Twitter handle of B.S. Yediyurappa

“The corona warriors who laid down their lives should be treated as martyrs. I urge the government to honour the corona warriors battling the invisible virus with appreciation letters,” said Dr C. N. Manjunath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, who inaugurated the 10-day Dasara festival atop the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru on Saturday.

"At least 550 doctors and more than 700 nurses have died in the country during the pandemic. Studies have shown that the life expectancy of doctors has reduced by 10 years, which can be attributed to tremendous physical and mental pressure. The doctors feel unsafe as there are constant attacks on them by the patients’ relatives and they suffer loss of property due to such attacks. Many doctors are discouraged to work in the rural areas due to lack of security and facilities. There is a need for a conducive environment to work," said Dr Manjunath. Manjunath said he felt honoured as it was the first time a doctor had been invited to inaugurate the Dasara festivities and it was an honour to all doctors and healthcare workers, who are fighting COVID-19 like warriors. 

The well-known cardiologist, who has been part of the state COVID-19 taskforce reminded the people that it was very important to wear masks, maintain social distancing and wash their hands. Manjunath prayed for a world free of COVID-19 and for an effective vaccine at the earliest. He also hoped that the state overcomes the devastating floods that is ravaging the north Karnataka region.

Expressing confidence that the pandemic could be on the decline, Manjunath said, "Karnataka is recording an average of 8,000 new cases every day even after scaling up testing to one lakh. It shows the rate of spread of the virus is declining. Nearly 80 per cent of patients are recovering with minimum intervention; around eight per cent need oxygen support and only two per cent will need ventilators. However, the fear of the virus is more than the disease. We need to step up psychological intervention," said Dr Manjunath, who also cautioned society against the harmful effects of social media.

"Social media is affecting the well-being of society. It should act as a bridge between the people and not wall," said Manjunath, who is the son-in-law of JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

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