‘TB & Nutrition: Back to Basics’- a Talk by Dr Anurag Bhargava at Oration of Late Dr V R Bhat by IMA
‘Tuberculosis (TB) & Nutrition: Back to Basics’- a Talk by Dr Anurag Bhargava ( Professor-Dept of Medicine at Yenepoya Medical College, Mangaluru) at Oration of Late Dr V R Bhat ( Dept of Tuberculosis, KMC-Mangaluru) by Indian Medical Association (IMA)-Mangaluru Chapter, held at IMA House Hall, AttavarRoad-Mangaluru, on 22 August.
Mangaluru : As part of the Oration of Late Dr V R Bhat, who worked in the department of Tuberculosis, KMC-Mangaluru for many years, Indian Medical Association (IMA)- Mangaluru Chapter organized a talk on “Tuberculosis and Nutrition : Back to the Basics” by Dr Anurag Bhargava-the Professor in Department of Medicine at Yenepoya Medical College-Mangaluru, at IMA House Hall, Attavara Road, Mangaluru on Thursday, 22 August at 8 pm.
The programme began by lighting the traditional lamp kept in front of the portrait of Late Dr V R Bhat, as a mark of respect for a great doctor who has done yeomen service in the medical field for years, by senior doctors and board members of IMA-Mangaluru. Following the IMA prayer by Dr K R Kamath, the welcome address and Preamble was delivered by Dr Sachidananda Rai- the president of IMA-Mangaluru. A brief details was given on IMA Matters by Dr Sudhindra Rao M- the the Hon Secretary of IMA-Mangaluru. A elaborate profile on Late Dr V R Bhat was given by Dr R V Bhat, the son of Dr V R Bhat.
The keynote speaker Dr Anurag Bhargava (Professor-Dept of Medicine at Yenepoya Medical College, Mangaluru; was felicitated on the occasion prior to his talk on “Tuberculosis and Nutrition: Back to the Basics” by the dignitaries on the dais. Following the talk by Dr Anurag, there was a brief talk on Dengue by Dr Chakrapani M -the professor in department of Medicine at KMC-Mangaluru .The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Annayya Kulal of IMA-Mnagaluru. District Health and Family Welfare Officer, Dr. M Ramakrishna Rao also graced the occasion.
ABOUT LATE DR V R BHAT :
Born on 16-08-1917 , Dr V R Bhat lost his illustrious father Dr Raghavendra Bhat, a doctor at armed forces after winning the prestigious Johnston Gold Medal at Madras university. Dr Bhat learned to be responsible from a young age and was more of a father than brother for both his sisters who adored him . Tenderly nurtured by his grandfather Purushotham Bhat of Uppinangady a first generation doctor with green fingers, he proceeded to get one of the 3 seats for MBBS at Madras University reserved for students of then Mysore state. He was hard working and mastered the skills. Despite opportunities to go for post graduation in UK which he adored he went on to specialize in TB TUBERCULOSIS then a common deadly killer at Madanapalli sanitarium at Madras.
LATE DR V R BHAT
The sole intention was to give the latest treatment to his own people at South Kanara. He set up his Chitra Clinic in 1947 and was one of the first to provide in house chest X- Ray facilities in South India. He catered to patients from Karnataka and Kerala but held the price line. He was skilled in techniques like artificial pneumothorax and plombage which were life savers on very active disease with massive hemoptysis. He was the first to import Injection Streptomycin from Britain through Madras and passed it on to patients at cost price of 32 rupees which was equivalent to two and half gold sovereigns then. Mostly given on credit some never paid. He thus starred one man crusade against a disease which was then unconquerable. He insisted his children to study by merit alone refusing to give any donations or pocket money so that he could help some of the poor Muslim and Hindu children who list their father to TB.
He was a staunch Rotarian and held almost all positions including the leader of Group study exchange programe to Arkansas. He refused to be the Governor because he would not be able to serve his people for that one year. He loved IMA and worked hard for its inception, survival and expansion in early years often spending his own money. He attended the state branch meetings every month at Bangalore. He held various positions at then South Kanara branch of IMA and later also the Karnataka State Branch.
He was known for his excellent bedside manners, discipline and forthrightness. Some considered him strict but everyone agreed he was honest and fair. He worked at KMC Mangalore from its inception and started the department of Tuberculosis and chest diseases which was the forerunner of Department of Chest Medicine. He took the students to Moodushedde sanatorium in his own car to demonstrate the patients with tuberculosis.
He wrote articles and books in English and Kannada. He spoke on the AIR. He was very active till almost the end despite vision being challenged. He had very friendly relations with the monks at the Rama Krishna Mission for which he gave medical and social services throughout his career. He breathed his last on 14-04-2005. He is survived by 2 children Dr Chitra and Dr Raghavendra. Dr Chitra is in USA and is involved in community service through the Rama Krishna Mission. Her husband Dr Dharmadev Natak is a celebrated Urologist of Effingam Illinois USA. She has 2 sons Mike, a celebrity Plastic Surgeon who practices at St Loius, USA and offers free services round the world. Raj is a lawyer for the downtrodden. Son Dr Raghavendra married to Shobha, has 2 daughters – Gita an Oncologist pursuing a fellowship come job in Medical aspects of Gynec Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto Canada. Nita an Ophthalmologist is a research scholar at South Western university Texas.
Towards the end of his life Dr VR Bhat adored his daughter in law Shobha as the pillar of strength. Dr.Raghavendra is working at the UAE teaching and practicing Internal Medicine .It is indeed an honor for the IMA Mangaluru branch to have an annual oration in the memory of this dignified gentleman who lived by the principle of Rotary – “LIVE TO SERVE”.
