AIIMS Neurologist Confronts Influencer Doctor Over 'Lootera' Label on Private Hospitals, Highlights Ethical Concerns in Medical Influencing

A heated debate has erupted in India’s medical community after a top-ranked neurologist challenged a popular doctor-influencer for branding private hospitals as “looters” in a viral video. Dr. Rahul Chawla, an AIIMS-trained specialist, accused the influencer of hypocrisy while promoting unregulated supplements for high fees. The clash has spotlighted growing tensions between ethical healthcare practices and the monetization of medicine on social media.

Influencer Sparks Outrage with Hospital Criticism

Dr. Rakshita Singh Bangar, an MBBS graduate and Instagram personality with over 2.5 million followers, ignited controversy earlier this week. In a now-deleted video, she described “maximum private hospitals” as lootera after her relative was billed more than ₹1 lakh for an emergency C-section delivery. Dr. Bangar alleged that many private facilities push unnecessary caesarean sections to inflate costs.

The video went viral before its removal, resonating with many frustrated patients but also drawing sharp criticism from the medical fraternity. While some praised her for exposing potential overcharging, others questioned her motives, pointing to her lucrative online endorsements and paid brand collaborations.

Neurologist Delivers Sharp Rebuttal on Instagram

On September 27, Dr. Rahul Chawla - who secured All India Rank 2 in the AIIMS entrance exam and Rank 1 in PMT - responded via Instagram. Having trained at premier institutions including AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Chawla dissected both Dr. Bangar’s claims and her social media practices.

Calling out what he described as “irony,” he wrote:

“Maximum private hospitals ‘loot rahe hain (are looting)’ and most doctors do caesarean sections unnecessarily - claims an unethical cringe content creator who happens to be an MBBS graduate, who charges more money per video to promote a bogus health supplement than what a super-specialist doctor earns in a month.”

He added:

“One lakh rupees for a delivery in a good private hospital is too much for her. In her viral video, the social media influencer with 2.5 million followers, who has been making cringe videos shot inside hospital premises, called out private hospitals as looters and doctors for doing a caesarean section unnecessarily. As if the lakhs she already earns illegally selling unregulated supplements are not enough.”

Dr. Chawla acknowledged that unethical practices such as unnecessary surgeries do occur but insisted these are exceptions rather than the rule:

“Yes, it may happen, nobody denies it. But it is not ‘most doctors’, it is a few rotten eggs. On the other hand, most content creators in this space are themselves earning via illegal means and scamming their followers every single day.”

He posed a pointed question:

“Who exactly is looting? The one saving lives after years of study and training, or the one who sells cringe content, compromises patient dignity, sidelines medical ethics, and pushes bogus supplements for brand deals?”

Dr. Chawla concluded with a stark comparison:

“How is it that a doctor charging lakhs for a two-minute ad for a health supplement - which she is not even allowed to do - is acceptable to people, but a hospital charging for an emergency surgery to save a mother and child becomes a crime in public eyes?”

He also urged medical organizations to investigate such influencers for violating National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, which prohibit doctors from advertising or endorsing unverified health products.

Broader Implications for Medical Ethics and Patient Trust

The Indian Medical Association has long called for stricter regulation of medical advertising, particularly on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where influencer endorsements often blur the line between education and promotion.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bangar known for her content on women’s health, NEET preparation, and wellness has not responded publicly to Dr. Chawla’s video as of September 30. Her social media profile continues to feature health tips alongside brand partnerships, maintaining high engagement.

Reactions

Other doctors have also weighed in. Dr. Shahbaz supported Dr. Chawla, writing:

“Dr. Rakhshita Singh, calling doctors ‘looters’ while promoting paid supplements and products is pure hypocrisy. According to NMC guidelines, doctors are not permitted to endorse or advertise commercial products. Selling useless supplements goes against medical ethics. Dr. Chawla is right real doctors heal, they don’t deal.”

(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)