Celebrities are used to getting the red carpet treatment, and they expect the same from their medical care and doctors. Often VIPs (very important people) and MIPs (the most important people) require special handling: reduced (or no) waiting times, separate entrances, secrecy and the best technology available. And for the doctors who treat them, there can be big reward for the additional headache.
To understand the lengths doctors and medical facilities must go to in order to treat VIPs and MIPs, we spoke with Dr. Mohan Rajan, the chairman and director for Rajan Eye Care Hospital in Chennai, India. His clinic treats a large number of VIP clients, and in order to keep them happy (and healthy), he follows some general guidelines.
Timing, Technology and Pampering
The first thing Dr. Rajan mentions is technology. “We have a huge number of VIPs coming into our clinic. Mainly because they know we have the most advanced technology available,” he said.
Just like any other person, celebrities want the best possible treatment. But that’s where the similarities between the VIPs and the non-VIPs end.
“The main thing VIPs want is special treatment – that is number one. When they arrive at my clinic, I personally receive them at the entrance of the hospital and take them to my chambers right away. A regular patient will have to wait for one or two hours,” explained Dr. Rajan. “They want to be pampered, and a lot of doctors don’t know how to handle that.”
Another reason for this special service is secrecy. “Celebrities don’t want to be recognized when they are receiving medical care – it’s a very personal thing,” he added. Image plays a big role in the career of VIPs and MIPs. “If they are seen to have a medical problem, like cataracts, it could negatively affect their career.”
Because of this, VIP and MIP patients are usually seen before or after normal operating hours. “I ask them to come in for consultations at the end of the day, usually 30 minutes to one hour after my last patient leaves,” explained Dr. Rajan. “And if they need surgery, I schedule them early in the morning, well before my first regular patient arrives.”
And it’s not just about secrecy from other patients, celebrities’ identities are protected from the staff as well. He says only a selected few will know the VIPs are coming – usually six to eight people at maximum are on-site when a VIP or MIP arrives. In addition, those employees are instructed to not bother them or take photos. Dr. Rajan knows that if the celebrities feel embarrassed, they will not return.
Have Back-Ups of Back-Ups
Even under normal circumstances, performing surgery can be stressful, and Dr. Rajan admits that performing it on VIPs or MIPs adds extra tension. He recommends having plenty of back-up machines, just in case one fails – which has happened to him before.
“Back in 2006, I was operating on a VIP patient and my phaco machine conked out… I wasn’t sure what to do. Fortunately, we had another back-up machine then. Today we have 7-8 back-ups,” he explained.
For a normal patient, the hospital will have three back-up machines ready to go… for celebrities, they have up to 10. “You have to anticipate problems and complications before they occur, whether it’s a normal patient or VIP,” he added.
Dr. Rajan admits the extra tension can be challenging. “You might be doing the same procedure you’ve done 100 times… but then something like a posterior capsule rupture might occur with a VIP patient. Mentally, it can be difficult.”
Extra Trouble Means Extra Reward
With the extra lengths doctors and hospital staff have to go to in order to treat VIPs and MIPs, it’s natural to question whether the additional hassle is worth it. For Dr. Rajan, it is.
“I tend to be very socially active, so I know many of the VIPs and MIPs personally. They know me, and they trust me…that’s important,” he said. “Plus, they know that we are going to extra trouble for them, and they are willing to pay more for that kind of attentive and upscale service.”
And often, VIP and MIP patients return the favor for Dr. Rajan’s efforts. “If I have an eye donation rally and fundraiser, one of my famous clients will sing at the event free of charge,” he said.
