‘Stepping stone’, ‘degradation of quality’: Hindi MBBS textbooks draw mixed reactions from doctors, students

NEW DELHI: Doctors, medical students, and health experts have mixed feelings about Hindi textbooks for MBBS students in Madhya Pradesh. While some called it a “stepping stone” and “breakthrough” in medical education, others termed it as a “gimmick”, “propaganda”, and “lingustic politics” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP government). Union Home Minister Amit Shah released textbooks of three MBBS subjects in Hindi on Sunday as part of the MP government's project to impart medical education in Hindi language.

Shah unveiled the textbooks of medical biochemistry, anatomy and medical physiology subjects for the MBBS students at an event held in Bhopal in the presence of state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state Education Minister Vishvas Sarang.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh medical colleges will teach 3 MBBS subjects in Hindi from 2022

On the eve of Shah launching the MP's Hindi-medium medical education project, Chouhan said Madhya Pradesh will become the first state in the country to impart medical education in Hindi. In a lighter vein, he remarked that doctors may write 'Shri Hari' on the top of prescription slips and then write the list of medicines etc in Hindi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launch of MBBS in Hindi initiative and said this will bring a very big positive change in the country.

A Government Medical College (GMC), Bhopal MBBS student of 2016 batch said in a tweet, "One nation, one culture, one language" one root cause of trying to fit everyone in one umbrella. This ring of superior language chauvinism will not fit each finger alike. Disheartened to see crores spent on propagandas, spitting on the spirits of democracy.”

"One nation, one culture, one language" one root cause of trying to fit everyone in one umbrella.
This ring of superior language chauvinism will not fit each finger alike.
Disheartened to see crores spent on propagandas, spitting on the spirits of democracy.#MBBSInHindi

— Shambhavi Patne (@shambhavi1410) October 16, 2022

A doctor tweeted, "It's not easy for a 17yr old kid to tackle the pressure of studying complicated subjects like human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry in a completely new language and to pass. Sensitive kids who topped till then in govt local language medium suddenly go into depression as they fail.”

It's not easy for a 17yr old kid to tackle the pressure of studying complicated subjects like human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry in completely new language and to pass
Sensitive kids who topped till then in govt local language medium suddenly go into depression as they fail

— Dr Ganesh Srinivasa Prasad (@thisis_drgsp) October 16, 2022

A healthcare activist wrote on Twitter, "Unlike countries teaching medical in their native language where only one language is predominant, In India it's not the case. In India almost every other state has their own language. Every state will start making similar demands and this will lead to degradation of quality."

Unlike countries teaching medical in their native language where only one language is predominant, In india it's not the case.
In India almost every other state has their own language.
Every state will start making similar demands and this will lead to degradation of quality.

— Dr.Shubham anand (@shubham_a_jha) October 16, 2022

A doctor from Lucknow said on Twitter, “The Movement for applying Hindi in MBBS Courses was started by Dr. Manohar Bhandari of MGM Medical College Indore in 1990. This is a Breakthrough in Medical Education. It will benefit students who don't believe in Rattafication.”

The Movement for applying Hindi in MBBS Courses was started by Dr. Manohar Bhandari of MGM Medical College Indore in 1990.
This is a Breakthrough in Medical Education. It will benefit students who don't believe in Rattafication. #MBBSInHindi

— Rishi Shakya ⚕️ (@Lucknowie) October 17, 2022

“Inspite of making memes analyse the difficulties you faced with English words even studying from English medium..,” he added.

“Why should the medium of education hold more value than the education itself? Is being a compassionate doctor more important or becoming one after reading a translated book ? Such gimmicks basically dilute the core purpose and that is exactly what our leaders want,” asked another doctor in a tweet.

Why should the medium of education hold more value than the education itself? Is being a compassionate doctor more important or becoming one after reading translated book ? Such gimmicks basically dilute the core purpose and that is exactly what our leaders want. #MBBSInHindi

— Dr Aratrika Ganguly (@aratrika_g08) October 17, 2022

A Twitter user said, “Lingustic politics in the field of medicine & health is the most retrograde and bizarre step. If you wanna impose a language, there are many areas. Playing with the life & safety of humans is the most deplorable thing (This applies to every non-English language).”

Lingustic politics in the field of medicine & health is the most retrograde and bizarre step. If you wanna impose a language, there are many areas. Playing with the life & safety of humans is the most deplorable thing (This applies to every non-English language).#MBBSInHindi

— NSAditya (@Hyderabadi2911) October 17, 2022

“#MBBSInHindi is a stepping stone for MBBS & other professional courses in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati etc. Technical terms/words in Sanskrit can be used in all Indian languages starting with Hindi,” said another user.

#MBBSInHindi is a stepping stone for MBBS & other professional courses in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati etc. Technical terms/words in Sanskrit can be used in all Indian languages starting with Hindi. https://t.co/t5wxUSVLsg

— Corona Doctor (@Mktweets0) October 16, 2022