Munnabhai M.B.B.S.
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7443.841 (Published 01 April 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:841
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I would like to congratulate the BMJ for reviewing this wonderful
movie. It is hilarious from the start and coveys an important message to
doctors- treat patients as human beings and not just ' an unusual case '
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It is delightful to see a movie so well made. Congratulations Sanjay
for such a balanced criticism. No walk of life is perfect. It is indeed
necessary to portray the real picture which can be so entertaining. I was
reminded of some of the hillareous portions from Richard Gordan's book
"Doctor in the house" and my own undergraduate days.
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This is in reference to the review written by Dr Sanjay Pai on the
movie ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ which is the latest hit in India. Working closely
with cancer patients I have come to realize that these patients are sicker
than any. A patient may be critical, but then he is far beyond conscious
state of mind to understand his suffering. The cancer patients are fully
aware of their misery, broken in mind and spirit, by the time they come to
the oncology department. It is amazing to see these patients, fighting
their disease and hopelessness. Here I have realized that The Jadu Ki
Jhappi (the miraculous hug) is more refreshing and helpful than the
chemotherapeutic poisons that we administer.
While treating patients I am very often required to inject
methotrexate, intrathecaly most of the time to children who howl and cry
before during and after the procedure. I realize more in fear than pain,
and instinctively one day I picked one child and hugged him close, only to
find that the child stopped sobbing immediately. I have found this gesture
quite effective, not only with the children but also their anxious and
irritable attendants. The first time I did this I had to quickly hand over
the child to the father and briskly walk away, fighting back tears from my
own eyes.
Dr Ashish Goel MD
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Congratulations Dr.Pai!
It was indeed a pleasant surprise to read the review.
I think every person related to medical field should see this movie, to
appreciate the "Jaadu ki Zappi" (The magical hug), which is missing from
the medical practice today.
Dr.Sharad Mutalik, Pune, India.
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Yes this movie has presented the plight of Patients and the real
faces of Doctors I think this movie must be seen by Every Doctor.
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I definitely think that the Hindi movie 'Munnabhai MBBS' was brilliant and it truely deserved a place in BMJ!
Well, I was shocked to read about 'Munnabhai MBBS' when I opened the BMJ website.
'Munnabhai MBBS 'is out and out a hilarious movie.But one must be able to - understand the local 'Tapori Hindi' of 'Aamchi Mumbai' to really appreciate the comedy.Words like 'Khoka '- a crore, 'Peti' - a lakh 'Tapkana'- to kill are mostly known to the Mumbaites.
I think Dr Sanjay's description of the movie is very apt and I think he has done a brilliant job of trying to bring out Bollywood to UK. Well done Dr Pai.
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The Consumer Protection Act has put the relationship between doctors
and their patients on strain, here in India. The Consumer Protection
Forums are now in place in all district headquarters and have started to
receive complaints against doctors. This newfound tool has empowered
patients to demand quality care from their treating doctors. On the other
hand doctors consider it yet another tool to encroach upon their autonomy
and 'divine status'.
This is another matter that at times some overzealous attendants of
patients who lose their lives or develop complications (due to no fault on
part of doctors) tend to take law into their own hands. There have been
instances where doctors have been beaten up or their clinics and hospitals
ravaged by agitated attendants.
The doctors on their part have turned 'over-cautious' with more and
more hi-tech investigations ordered and specialist and super-specialist
consultations sought. This has simply added to the bills of patients and
is yet another grouse against doctors.
At a time when doctor-patient relationships are at the lowest ebb,
the movie is a pleasant reminder of the pious relationship (which it once
used to be). The patients are neither 'interesting cases' nor a 'rare
diagnosis'. They are all human beings, who are suffering due to their
illness. They have their families and responsibilities at home.
The medical fraternity in India is already seized of the matter and
trying to find ways and means to restore the confidence of patients in
their doctors. The movie revisits the doctor-patient relationship and
suggests a way out.
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just to let you know bollywood makes about over 800 films anually not
200!!
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Munnabahi M.B.B.S : tool to teach hospital managers
Munnabhai MBBS is a funny, but insightful film. In management
teaching "case studies" of organizatons are used often. These case studies
are long and some times boring to read. This film can be used as a useful
and entertaining method (case study) of starting discussion among hospital
managers in a management development course on how to improve public
hospitals. The film shows following points: 1. Delay in emergency care due
to filling of forms etc. 2. Nobody cares for the cleaners in the
hospital. 3. How do we treat patients - as subject material for teaching
or as human beings. 4. Issues on dealing with death. 5. Discipline in work
and fun at the workplace. 6. The social status of doctor vs the rest. 7.
Issue of emotions in dealing with patients....
I will try this out may be in our next program for hospital managers.
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