One Jaipur-based businessman, Rishabh Jain, recently posted what he believed was a funny story of a hasty trip to an ENT clinic but his update ignited a flood of criticism, particularly from the medical field.
The incident started when Jain took his daughter for a routine earwax removal in an ENT specialist’s clinic. After the quick procedure, he uploaded a photo on the internet of his daughter with a piece of cotton and captioned it on X (formerly Twitter): “ENT doc removed my kid’s ear wax in 30 secs, charged whooping ₹1300, that too after a ‘discount’. No wonder her clinic was emptier than Ritvi’s ear.”
The post soon went viral, receiving more than a million views.
While appearing to be lighthearted sarcasm, the joke did not go down well with most, particularly healthcare workers who perceived it as belittling their years of training and the worth of medical services.
One reader curtly replied, “You’re not paying for 30 seconds. You’re paying for the expertise to get it done in 30 seconds. If you don’t like it because of expense, do it yourself for free.”
Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, better known as “The Liver Doc,” joined in with a biting retort, “Next time use an old ear wax cleaner. You can find them on the street across. And don’t waste money. Hope it helps.”
Another doctor seconded the notion, sarcastically remarking, “There are individuals who sit on the street and get it done for Rs 50. Try them next time. Seriously, the doctor undersold you.”
Medical experts also pointed out the hard work and extensive academic background behind such procedures. An elderly professor of cardiology in a government college described:
“To be able to do that within 30 seconds, one needs to study up to the age of 30, pass two very challenging exams NEET UG and PG and undergo 5+1+3 years of training. Yes, nice and easy. So, now doctors must work for free and beg post-duty to make everyone happy.”
A different user implied Jain’s post was an expression of misplaced indignation:
Ask the doctor how many years of training and schooling it took to become proficient enough to accomplish what she did in 30 seconds.”
In addition to standing up for the profession, a number of commenters doubted the use of Jain’s daughter in the post. “Using your child’s picture to ragebait is what we should be questioning here,” one commenter posted.
Although the debate rages on, the event has reminded us of how even seemingly superficial social media comments can spark wider debates regarding professional courtesy and the actual price paid behind “fast” services.
