SHANGHAI, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two "clown doctors" from Israel visited a Shanghai hospital on Monday to lift the mood of inpatient children.
Nir Raz and Sarhan Mahamid, one dressed in a doctor's coat and red clown nose and another made up like a circus performer, visited Shanghai Children's Medical Center, bringing fun and laughter to children through funny gestures, facial expressions and toys.
These two professionally trained clowns were invited by the Consulate General of Israel in Shanghai to visit three hospitals and share their experience in clown care and psychotherapy with their Chinese peers.
"I hope they can help the kids in pain and make their parents and doctors relaxed," said Consul General Arnon Periman.
Clown care is a program in health care facilities involving visits from specially trained clowns who use techniques such as magic, music, and storytelling to help lift patients' moods and reduce pain.
The world's first clown doctor appeared in New York City in 1986. Hospital clowns were initially criticized for disrupting doctors' work and hospital order, said Nir Raz.
"But facts show that clown doctors can alleviate tension among patients and between patients and doctors, and help them understand each other," Sarhan Mahamid said.
Ji Qingying, deputy head of the center, told Xinhua that China does not have clown doctors yet, but hopes to train its own through international cooperation.
Clown doctors have become popular in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Israel and throughout Europe.
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