Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Aug 10: For the past 15 years Daijiworld readers have been familiar with the popular column ‘Ask Doctor’ by Dr Edward Nazareth which has reached the 200th episodes mark today.
As one of first columns in our website, it was started in November 2002. The questions were answered and published twice a month in the beginning. After some years it was decided to post the column once in a month with improved quality and structure. With minimum 20 questions every episode Dr Nazareth has answered more than 4000 questions so far.
“At the very outset I thank Editor-in-Chief Walter Nandalike and other friends at Daijiworld for giving me this opportunity. I fondly remember late Mickmax who gave me the concept and a nice introduction in the beginning,” says Dr Nazareth with gratitude on reaching double century of episodes.
While some periodicals those days carried health columns, the answers came in few words. But this column in Daijiworld gave an opportunity to explain things in a right way using sufficient words and paragraphs.
“Answering the questions on health was not new to me as I was doing it since many years. But to do that on the website was a great feeling. Freedom to use more words helped me to educate the readers properly,” says Dr Nazareth recollecting initial days of the column.
The column received more than expected response from readers. The letters received by the editor and flood of questions to the doctor were evidence to this fact. Month by month the column gained increased popularity.
The questions were edited to make it more readable and easy to understand. Identity of the person who asked the question was concealed completely. Erotic and immoral questions were ignored. This was possible as Dr Edward Nazareth himself is an accomplished writer in Konkani and English. He has also worked as editor of Journal of Karnataka orthopedic Association in the past in addition to writing many columns on health in Konkani for above 3 decades.
In the past 15 years, the column has enlightened the people with various issues related to health- physical, mental and sexual. Some of the questions could not be answered when they were not useful to the readers in general. Some questions were left out as they were too delicate at times.
“Though I am a bone specialist, I have been answering questions related to any topic on health-from childcare to sex. Many a times, I had to take help from my specialist doctor friends who had the experience in the field to which the specific question was related. It was my earnest desire to inform the readers the most modern concept or the treatment or the solution available for a particular problem,” Dr Nazareth informs.
With the 200th update, Dr Edward Nazareth has decided to conclude this column. “I believe something that is good has to be concluded while it is still good,” says he.
“I am grateful to all the people who had enough faith in me to express their health and related issues. Some of the problems expressed were extremely personal. I have tried my best to help as many of the readers as possible using all of my resources. I have immense satisfaction that my column has helped hundreds of readers,” says Dr Nazareth.
Dr Nazareth happily says that some of the marriages which were on the verge of collapse due to misinformation were saved. “I have tried to advocate true human values to the best of my capacity, and I personally know a couple who had decided to abort an unborn baby but changed their mind on my advice. I really feel elated when I realize that I could save relationships and improve the lives. I thank the Almighty for giving me this opportunity to propagate His plans,” he adds.
The questions were asked from across the globe. Sometimes the doctor has avoided certain questions if they were not in the interest of majority of the readers. Yet he has responded personally through email. Hundreds of readers have expressed their gratitude by writing to the doctor, mentioning about it during meetings and by writing to Daijiworld.
Dr Nazareth intends to remain part of Daijiworld and will continue writing articles on health issues in the future.
Dr Edward is an orthopedic surgeon and professor at Father Muller’s College Hospital in Mangaluru. Presently he is the general secretary of Karnataka Orthopedic Association. He has also completed 100 episodes of ‘Arogya Bhagya’ in Kannada for Daijiworld Television. He has also served as director and as vice-chairman of MCC Bank Ltd. He has presented 17 medical research papers.
With 200 episodes and above 4000 questions ‘Ask Doctor’ has answered all the questions one would want to ask on health and the database is a good library on health issues.
Thank you Dr Edward for your unconditional support and unselfish service to Daijiworld.