Celeb appearances at hospitals irk doctors

Stars take away from doctors' their hard work, and some come with selfish motives, say Bangalore's medical practitioners

Celeb appearances at hospitals irk doctors

Stars take away from doctors' their hard work, and some come with selfish motives, say Bangalore's medical practitioners

Celebrity visits to hospitals may be good PR for celebs and hospitals, but many doctors see them as a nuisance.
Recently, movie star Aamir Khan visited Bangalore and posed with a terminally ill boy at Karunashraya, a hospice.

After posing for pictures with Sunil (18), Aamir said, "My visit to Karunashraya has been a moving, inspiring, and life-affirming experience."

"What's the big deal in a celebrity coming and visiting our patients?'' said Dr Sadanand Gopal, from
Karunashraya, Bangalore Hospice Trust.u00a0 "It is not a necessity, and we can really do without their visits.''

So do celeb visits harm the hospitals or help them? MiD DAY asked around.

Dr Bhujang Shetty from Narayana Nethralaya said, "It depends on what the celebrity is trying to highlight. It obviously helps the hospital to come into the spotlight... but I don't think it is a requirement.''

Increases visibility

Kannada star Rajkumar had pledged his eyes to Narayana Nethralaya, and awareness quickly went up. Pledges increased by a staggering 500 per cent, and donations by 100 per cent.

"In terms of marketing, the hospital gains huge visibility,'' said Dr Kishore, Ayurvedic doctor and CEO of Ayurdhama.

He also thinks that celebrities should talk about health and not hog all the credit. "Doing good work helps in the long run, but celebrity visits bring you fame faster,'' he said.

Dr Natesh, ENT specialist, feels both hospitals and celebs benefit from such visits, but not everyone agrees with him.

"Using celebrity visits to advertise and market hospitals and doctors is a total mistake," said diabetes specialist Dr Krishnamurthy.

A leading general practitioner said, "Let these stars remain on screen, we really don't need their drama... it doesn't help us! If a patient is dying in pain, how does the celebrity and their appearance help us?''

He said while creating awareness may be good, using the opportunity to promote a film is unethical and not acceptable.

Father Geo of Bosco said, "It's all in the hands of sub-editors and editors. They should decide what is right and wrong."

Paediatrician Dr Yoganand said, "Celebs go away in a few minutes. Doctors work day and night, and feel bad when they are ignored."

What's the big deal in a celebrity coming and visiting our patients? It is not a necessity, and we can really do without their visits.
Dr Sadanand Gopal, Karunashraya, Bangalore Hospice Trust

It depends on what the celebrity is trying to highlight.
u00a0Dr Bhujang Shetty, Narayana Nethralaya

Using celebrity visits to advertise and market hospitals and doctors is a total mistake.
Dr Krishnamurthy, diabetes specialist

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