Dr. Srinivas Kakkilaya demands withdrawal of expert panel report on sudden cardiac deaths
Mangaluru: Well-known physician Dr. Srinivas Kakkilaya has urged the government to withdraw the recent report submitted by the expert committee headed by Dr. K.S. Ravindranath of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. The report concerns sudden cardiac deaths and, according to Dr. Kakkilaya, is incomplete and flawed.
Speaking to Vartha Bharati, Dr. Kakkilaya said that the report, as claimed by media outlets, states there is no link between COVID-19 vaccination and recent sudden deaths. However, he clarified that no such conclusion exists in the report. He pointed out that the studies cited by the committee have no connection to the actual study it claims to have conducted.
“No study referenced in the report addresses whether there is any connection between the COVID-19 vaccine and the recent sudden deaths occurring years after vaccination,” he said. He further questioned how reputed institutions like ICMR and Jayadeva Hospital could publish such inadequate reports, raising concerns over the state of medical science in the country.
Dr. Kakkilaya also criticised discrepancies in the data. "Even children can say that 53+17+180 equals 250. But the report lists the total as 249," he noted. He questioned how the committee could call it a ‘small percentage’ when 1 in 3 of the 77 cases examined showed no cause for heart attack. “If a third of the cases remain unexplained, how can that be considered negligible?” he asked.
He further pointed out that the report itself suggests the possibility of a new or unknown cause behind these cardiac deaths, which contradicts any blanket dismissal of a link with vaccines or past COVID-19 infections.
Dr. Kakkilaya stressed that unless there is clarity, neither the Jayadeva Institute, nor its director, nor the state or central government, nor any doctor has the authority to declare “there is no link” between vaccines and these deaths. “The only honest answer is: ‘We do not know yet,’” he said.
Calling the report half-baked and mathematically incorrect, Dr. Kakkilaya demanded its immediate withdrawal and urged the committee to conduct a proper, in-depth study over the next six months and only then draw any conclusions.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
