MAHE releases book on COVID-19
Manipal, June 30, 2021: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) released a book- Covid-19 A Multidimensional Response on June 30. This is the 210th publication by Manipal Universal Press (MUP).
Releasing the book, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, spoke about the role played by MAHE and Manipal group of hospitals in healthcare management during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Being one of the largest healthcare providers, MAHE built a creative alliance between higher education and the wider community to control and mitigate the pandemic in constant engagement with the civil society. This was done through mass testing, innovative COVID-19 treatment protocols, mass health literacy programs, vaccination drive and technical innovations like vaccine carriers,” he said.
Releasing the book on COVID-19 was a continuation of these efforts by MAHE where 305 papers on COVID-19 have been already published by faculty members, he said, highlighting the academic and research contribution of the University in tackling the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Chief guest Dr Vinod H Bhat, Executive Vice President, MAHE, highlighted the impact of the pandemic on various aspects of human existences and how most of them have been addressed in the 30 chapters contained in this book.
“The multidisciplinary approach of the book which includes geopolitical and anthropological perspectives as well, speak volumes about the expertise present within the MAHE system that stand to support the epidemiologists, virologists, microbiologists and others,” he said.
He suggested that earnest efforts be made to continue research and publish a second volume to follow as the research advances in different fields to combat COVID-19.
Dr Shashikiran Umakant, Professor in Medicine Department of Udupi TMA Pai Hospital, who led the battle against COVID-19 at the district level and is widely recognized for his contribution, summed up MAHE’s response to the pandemic as CARE response – clinical, administrative, research and educational. He said, MAHE was the only university in the country which dedicated an entire hospital for treating the COVID-19 patients.
One of the editors, Dr Raviraj N Seetaram spoke about the evolution of the book in very short and stringent timelines to ensure the research as-it-happened reach its audiences. He hoped the book would connect researchers within the field with more vigour in combating the pandemic and would reach lay readers with more information that they have been seeking.
In her welcome note, Dr Neeta Inamdar, Chief Editor, Manipal Universal Press said, MUP would strive hard to keep pace with the research being carried out in the field and be with the authors willing to publish their work and share it with fellow colleagues. Other editors of the book, Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay and Dr N Udupa were present. Dr Chiranjay delivered the vote of thanks.
