clowing-therapy.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Two clowns cheered up young patients at the Shanghai Children's Medical Center (SCMC) on Monday in an effort by the Israeli Consulate in the city to promote clowning therapy.
Working alongside hospital staff, clowns Nir Raz and Sarhan Mahamid performed magic and played games with the children, who took delight with the tricks, according to Shanghai Daily.
One of the comic routines performed by the duo was playing the roles of a doctor and a dog.
"I've never seen such 'doctors' in hospital. They're funny and make the hospital less scary for children," said the mother of a girl who was suffering from fever and severe cough. "My daughter was a little shocked at first, but she was quickly won over by the clowns."
"It would be great to see them every day," said a Japanese boy who had been confined for one week at SCMC. He received a balloon dog.
In addition to providing therapy to the patients, Raz and Mahamid, who will be in the city until Friday visiting three children's hospitals, will train medical staff on interaction skills.
Administrative and medical staff at SCMC were also impressed by the clowns' antics.
"I'd seen medical clowns in an American hospital 10 years ago when I was an intern there. I was deeply impressed by the scene that saw almost all the children smile when they met the clowns, including those who had been crying while getting injections. So I'm happy to see Mr. Raz and Mr. Mahamid in our hospital, bringing us the concept of humorous and happy therapy," said Jiang Fan, Party chief of the SCMC.
Medical clowning began in New York hospitals in 1986. Initially, doctors disapproved of it, but the type of therapy grew in popularity, becoming a field in medicine in itself.
