Rajesh Kanti Sarkar, Chennai, India, Daily US Times: Dr. Devi Shetty is an Indian cardiac surgeon and entrepreneur. He is the chairman and founder of Narayana Health, a chain of 21 medical centers in India.
India can conquer COVID-19 and set an example for the rest of the world because we have the largest number of young skilled doctors, nurses, and technicians, thanks to our government’s progressive policies.
One of them Dr. Devi Shetty. He advises to Daily US Times about the coronavirus crisis. Lockdown or no lockdown next 6 months to 12 months follow these precautions. Here are 21 important advice on coronavirus.
21 important advice on coronavirus
- Postpone travel abroad for 2 years.
- Do not eat outside food for 1 year.
- Do not go to an unnecessary marriage or other similar ceremonies.
- Do not take unnecessary travel trips.
- Do not go to a crowded place for at least 1 year.
- Completely follow social distancing norms.
- Stay away from a person who has a cough.
- Keep the face mask on.
- Be very careful in the current week.
- Do not let any mess around you.
- Do not go to the Cinema, Mall, Crowded Market for 6 months now. If possible, Park, Party, etc. should also be avoided.
- Increase immunity.
- Be very careful while at Barbershop or at the beauty salon parlor.
- Avoid unnecessary meetings, always keep in mind Social Distancing.
- The threat of CORONA is not going to end soon.
- Don’t wear belt, rings, wristwatch, when you go out. Watch is not required. Your mobile has got time.
- No handkerchief. Take sanitizer & tissue if required.
- Don’t bring the shoes into your house. Leave them outside.
- Clean your hands & legs when you come home from outside.
- when you feel you have come nearer to a suspected patient take a thorough bath.
Read: Coronavirus and mental health: how to protect yourself
Dr. Devi Shetty spoke to NDTV about the coronavirus crisis
Chairman of Narayana Health Dr. Devi Shetty spoke to NDTV about the coronavirus crisis as Karnataka reports the first death in the country due to the highly contagious disease. [NDTV is one of the leaders in the production and broadcasting of un-biased and comprehensive news and entertainment programs in India and abroad.]
NDTV: When you say you’ve offered to help are you nervous, that we’re sitting on a Pandora’s box that is being opened?
Dr. Devi Shetty: No. I am very comfortable with the way our governments are responding. You see we have a window of opportunity now. If we adopt the concept of social distancing very very early like what our governments are doing. Believe me; we will definitely see a lot more patients than what it is reported. But it will reach a plateau then it will stay there, and it will come down. But if we carry on with life as it is, we will definitely learn in trouble looking at the pattern of how a country like Italy and now the US is behaving and on the situation what they are facing. So we have a great window of opportunity, and I am very happy that the central government has banned over sister is entering the country, and state governments are limiting restricting all the social engagements, and we are in a positive direction. And we would ask the private sector we would love to help with the work with the government.
NDTV: So a window of opportunity as in where we can learn from the experiences of other countries. But, when you mention social distancing, isn’t India’s population or concern compared to Italy for example. You raise that example even the owners. Even more important in India right now to get its act together and take this coronavirus head-on?
Dr. Devi Shetty: See we have a great disadvantage of our density of population compared to Italy or any of the European countries, the virus can spread in no time the end for one week nearly ten days you can continue to infect others without you being aware that you are a victim of the virus. So this is the biggest problem, and once you are infected there is no cure. So this is the right time for us to just keep stay at home. The message for everyone in India is to stay at home if it is possible.
NDTV: But Dr. Davis given that you’ve just said that are you concerned is there a concern that we may be under-reporting cases given the fact that there are only 52 government control testing centers in India?
Dr. Devi Shetty: See the doing that test extensively will not make much difference to the outcome. The strategy we have adopted is if you suspect that some particular person is positive, then you assume he is positive and treats him that way. Rather than doing all the tests because he okay you have done the test, it is proven that he is positive. What are you going to do if it is a mild symptom then we will ask them to go home and rest. Because 85% of positive patients do not need hospitalization. So I am not unduly worried about not doing the test in a large number what is required, unlike other tests. I’m very happy with the way the government is responding to restricting social interaction and that everything depends on that.
NDTV: All right thank you, Dr. Devi Shetty, that for sharing your views with us.
Read: Coronavirus: Why more men are dying than women
Public Reaction to Devi Shetty’s Interview
Asghar Abdulla: This person Dr. Devi Shetty is a gem of a person, his contribution towards the medical profession is very vast and diverse. We as responsible citizens of India should abide by the safety of our countrymen and other people around us by restricting social activities as far as possible. And follow standard hygiene.
Ishani Sarkar: Dr. Devi Shetty you are a manifestation of God. God bless you with a long and healthy life. Btw what kind of a stupid opening question asked by the journalist. Are you nervous? You are well aware of who he is right.
Asghar Abdulla: More than shopping malls and IT companies the public in Airports, railway stations, and other places are more prone to spread the disease, the government should tackle this in a more systematic way.
Talha Anwar: Lock all the self-proclaimed experts on Coronavirus such as Vivek Agnihotri and Yogi first. Fake news will become deadly if this becomes an epidemic in India.
Deepika: Sarah asks a good question on testing/underreporting, Dr. Devi Shetty decides not to answer (perhaps wisely, because he wants to work with the government and help) and says something related but it’s not an answer. Sarah I think realizes he’s being evasive and decides to drop it.
Manu Davis: Now I guess he realized the importance of community medicine. An outbreak made a cardiologist speak prevention. Media please probe back to his suggestion on the branch of community medicine to the national advisory board of MCI.
Stanzin Rangdol: I think during this kind of pandemic situation, we have to have faith in our government. And we as a citizen of India should corporate with the government with every step. If we don’t then India is doomed. As our health centers are not as good as the west. The top rich Countries are getting out of medical resources to treat their people. Imagine in County like ours with a vast population, it’s impossible to control this disease.
Sarb: All media discussions are on the perspective of the minor Urban Indian population, which is very unrealistic. In India, the majority of the population earns their bread on a daily basis. Staying at home without work to prevent CV is a luxury they cannot afford. Who’s going to feed their family’s hungry stomach tomorrow?
SaniyasNain Farooqui: He is the most honest and loyal doctor in the private sector, sir you are my inspiration, love you, sir.
here is the video interview of Dr. Devi Shetty-
Chairman Of Narayana Health, Dr. Devi Shetty Talks To NDTV On Coronavirus Crisis
Who is Dr. Devi Shetty?
According to Narayana Health, Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty is the Chairman of Narayana Health, and also an Executive Director. He is a cardiac surgeon with around 34 years of experience. After completing his MBBS from the University of Mysore in 1978, he registered with the Karnataka Medical Council in 1979.
Thereafter, in 1982, he received a master’s degree in surgery from the University of Mysore. In 2009, he was granted a fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He founded Narayana Health in the year 2000. He initiated the concept of a “micro health insurance scheme” in Karnataka, which eventually led to the Karnataka government implementing the Yeshasvini scheme, a micro health insurance scheme for rural farmers.
Dr. Devi Shetty is a professor at Rajiv Gandhi University of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, India, and University of Minnesota Medical School, USA. He is the recipient of a number of awards and honors most noteworthy being ‘Padma Shri’ and ‘Padma Bhushan’ Award in 2003 and 2012 respectively, conferred by the Government of India and the ‘Rajyotsava Award’ in 2002 conferred by the Government of Karnataka.
He was also conferred with the ‘Dr. B C Roy National Award’ by the Dr. B C Roy National Award Fund under the category of ‘Eminent Medical Person’ in 2003, ‘Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Start-up 2003’ by Ernst & Young, India, and ‘Sir M. Visveswaraya Memorial Award’ conferred by the Government of Karnataka in 2003. The Rotary Bangalore Midtown conferred him with the ‘Citizen Extraordinaire’ award in 2004.
He is an active member of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery since 1996 and a life member of the Indian Medical Association. He was also a member of the Finance Committee of the 47th Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons. He was a member of the governing body of the Medical Council of India between 2010 and 2011.
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