Israeli medical clown works on hospitalized children's funny bones, too

Realizing that sick children recovering in hospitals need to have their spirits healed too, a medical clown from Israel is working on their funny bones.

Moshe Twito has visited public hospitals in Manila to give therapeutic services to the children, the Israeli embassy in Manila said.

"A real-life Patch Adams, Twito performed at the pediatric wards of Philippine General Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, Philippine Children's Medical Center and Ospital ng Makati to spread joy and laughter for the children and their families," the embassy said.

It added that Twito is a senior member of the Dream Doctors Project, an Israeli organization specializing in Clowning Therapy.

The embassy said the Dream Doctors project integrates professional medical clowning into the medical services at Israeli hospitals.

Established in 2002, the Dream Doctors Project now operates in 20 hospitals throughout the country, and 70 medical clowns now work in pediatric wards and clinics.

For his part, Twito also enjoys sharing his wide array of tricks, jokes, and musical fun, and greets the staff all by first names.

Twito has also spent time with the hospitals' medical officials and staff to integrate or even start their own medical clowning program.

Citing recent studies, he said medical clowning "helps pacify young patients as they are more relaxed when undergoing a test or procedure."

Twito noted a child who benefits from clowning therapy will need less anesthesia for an operation because he or she is relaxed and can connect with the clown.

"Improvements in physiological and emotional health have also been noted," he said. — VC, GMA News