“Don’t Follow Random Influencers”: Tata Memorial Hospital Doctor’s Caution to Nithin Kamath and Public
In a remarkable instance of professional concern intersecting with the digital age, Mumbai-based Tata Memorial Hospital has issued a stern warning against the perils of unverified medical advice proliferating on social media platforms. The caution comes in the wake of a social media influencer offering misguided medical suggestions to Nithin Kamath, the co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, on X, sparking widespread alarm among healthcare professionals.
The Rise of Misinformation
The director of Tata Memorial Hospital, in a move to safeguard public health, underscored the critical importance of seeking medical guidance from qualified individuals rather than falling prey to the often unfounded assertions made by “influencers” online. This statement was a direct response to a controversial post directed at Kamath, which was quickly debunked by medical experts.
Dr. Pramesh, a prominent figure at Tata Memorial Hospital, took to social media to highlight the dangers posed by such misinformation, stating, “A thread that demonstrates how life-threatening social media can be… Please don’t follow random ‘influencers’ who don’t have true science to back them beyond ‘Trust me, bro’.”
A thread that demonstrates how life threatening social media can be…
— Pramesh CS (@cspramesh) February 26, 2024
Please don't follow random "influencers" who don't have true science to back them beyond "Trust me, bro" https://t.co/50OBrlNNjS
This was further emphasized by another board member of Tata Memorial Hospital who criticized the lack of scientific backing in the influencer’s advice, cautioning the public to steer clear of influencers lacking a credible science background.
Zero true science to back this. Don't fall for influencers without science background. https://t.co/50OBrlNNjS
— Pramesh CS (@cspramesh) February 26, 2024
Medical Community’s Reaction
The incident also drew reactions from other healthcare professionals, including senior cardiologist Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy from Bengaluru. He dismissed the influencer’s recommendations and stressed the importance of rest, relaxation, and adequate sleep for maintaining good health. His comments were in reference to Kamath’s own revelation about suffering a “mild stroke”, which he attributed to a combination of stress factors including anxiety, lack of sleep, and overtraining.
When I spoke against 72 hour work week sometime ago, there were many people up in arms and called me what all names. But the fact remains that there needs to be work life balance. There needs to be time to relax, unwind and sleep. For all that you need spare time. #MedTwitter… https://t.co/zdMwWu1rgc
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) February 27, 2024
Kamath’s situation served as a stark reminder of the physical toll that neglecting one’s health can exact, even on successful individuals. He shared that his doctor advised him to take a step back and allow himself time to recover, suggesting a period of relaxation that could extend up to six months for a full recovery.
Conclusion
The Tata Memorial Hospital’s proactive stance on this issue highlights the growing concern among healthcare professionals regarding the dissemination of health-related information on social media. It serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of embracing medical advice from unverified sources, emphasizing the importance of consulting healthcare professionals for health concerns. The incident with Nithin Kamath and the subsequent reactions from the medical community reinforce the message that when it comes to health, expertise and scientific evidence must prevail over popularity and social media influence.
