Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak Lucknow: Deputy chief minister and health minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday appealed to doctors across Uttar Pradesh to write the names of medicines and diagnostic tests in Hindi or the Devanagari script on prescriptions, saying it would help patients better understand treatment instructions and follow medical advice.In a letter addressed to doctors, Pathak linked the appeal to the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a key ideologue of the BJP and one of the principal thinkers of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He said the occasion should be used to promote Indian languages, particularly Hindi, in public life as well as in health care settings.Pathak said many patients face difficulty interpreting prescriptions and often remain unaware of the medicines and investigations they have been advised. Writing names in Hindi or Devanagari, he said, would make it easier for patients to identify what treatment they are receiving and improve adherence. He also indicated that preference would be given to medicines whose names are written in Hindi.The minister extended the appeal beyond prescription writing, urging doctors to communicate with patients in their mother tongue and local languages wherever possible. Referring to regional languages and dialects such as Bhojpuri and Awadhi, he said patients are more likely to understand medical guidance when it is delivered in a familiar language.Pathak said clear communication strengthens trust between doctors and patients, and that wider use of Hindi and other Indian languages could improve patient confidence in the health care system. He added that doctors who actively use Hindi in their professional work would be recognised and honoured.Citing Upadhyaya’s views on language, Pathak said the move was inspired by an article written by the Jana Sangh ideologue in Panchjanya on April 22, 1953. He argued that when patients can understand the names of medicines, tests and instructions, doctor-patient interactions become more effective and can contribute to better health outcomes.
