Dr Palaniappan Manickam

In all cooking videos, you notice people telling:

“Thevaiyana alavu uppu serkavum”
(English translation: Add required amount of salt)

India has beautifully followed this and overcame iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).

You might be surprised to know how much progress India has made!

Iodine deficiency was a big health problem in India, causing issues like goitre and problems with learning.

In the 1990s, over 200 million people were at risk due to a lack of iodine.

India fixed this with the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program, which made sure all salt was iodized starting in 1997.

Now, over 90% of households use iodized salt, and iodine-related health issues have dropped a lot!

Even though there are still a few places where things can improve, India’s efforts have been recognized around the world for solving this problem.

#publichealth #iodinedeficiency #India #saltiodization #IDD

Laughter heals.

But trying it hard is where the challenge lies.

I’ve noticed a trend on social media, people sharing happy pictures while silently battling personal struggles. It’s a reflection of how tough life can be, something we’ve all faced.

As a doctor, I know firsthand that no matter what we’re going through, we have to show up with a smile. I recall a night when I treated a 27-year-old patient suffering from liver failure due to alcohol abuse. I spent hours consulting with the team, only to receive news of his passing at 5 am. It was heartbreaking, and I couldn’t sleep peacefully that night.

Yet, I had to push forward. I woke up, prepared for my day, and got ready for my next task which was actually a MedCom show.

This is what it means to be in the profession I chose to give my best, no matter what, because patients and people depend on it.

To anyone reading this, here’s my message:

👉🏽 If you see someone laughing, let them. Don’t judge. 
👉🏽 If you see someone enjoying a peaceful moment, don’t be envious. Let them have it. 
👉🏽 If someone needs time for themselves, respect it.

We never know the weight someone else is carrying. Every journey is deeper and more painful than it seems on the surface.

As doctors, we have to lead with compassion, welcome everyone with a smile, and do our best even when it’s hard.

Respect. Care. Let Live.

By the way, the World Mental Health day was on October 10th this year.

#MentalHealth #HolisticCare #DrPal

First day back in the US, I get a 2 a.m. emergency call.

So far, so good, right?

Turns out, my patient had blood in their vomit, thanks to a hard-partying night and...surprise...lots of alcohol. I thought, “Okay, here we go!”

These lads nowadays seem more tuned into party rhythms than their own circadian rhythms.

They’re living by the beat of dance tracks instead of the clock that keeps our bodies balanced!

They think it’s all fun and games until—bam—blood vomiting at 2 a.m. (Yes, 2 a.m., people.)

And then, in the ER, what do they ask me? “So, Doc, when can I start drinking again?”

I was like, “ADEIIIII!”

Honestly, my one request to this patient? “Next time, if you absolutely have to drink, can you at least switch your routine to 2 p.m.? Let me get some sleep!”

We doctors hustle all day; we just want our seven hours of peace at night.

But look how times have changed—I’m out here negotiating with party schedules to get some sleep.

And now, I’m sure Saravana Kumar’s going to ring me up, all “Hey, Doc, is 2 p.m. liquor party okay for you?”

My phone? SWITCHED OFF.

#drpal #holisticliving #gutman

It's been 6 weeks of chaos.

I never imagined that building my team in India would be such a challenge.


I met some great talents, but also crossed paths with many who were only in it for the money.

It was like karma testing my patience to experience the whole spectrum of people in the industry.

Sometimes, you have to face the bad to truly appreciate the good.


There were moments I wanted to go back to the days when I did everything myself.

It was simpler.

Not possible though in reality.


Decades back when my father wanted some help in his farm, he gave a phone call to his best friend Thangavelu.

That uncle comes with a group of his other friends, visits the farm, gets the work done and leaves.

My father was never worried about whether the work will be done or not.

Because he knew that Thangavelu uncle would only do good things to him and the ethics of his fellow men was always high.

I’m not that lucky to call someone and get things done in this era where money does the talking first.


One takeaway is that nothing comes easy in life today.

Strive - Work Hard - Enjoy the perks. Share it with your people.

The struggle is real, but the payoff is worth it.

#gutman #drpal #holisticliving


PS: Twisting omelets amidst chaos 😂

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

I am thrilled and deeply grateful to share that I have been nominated for this year's National Creator Award, earning a coveted spot among the top ten in the 'Best Health and Fitness Creator' category. 🏆

This achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering support and belief you have consistently shown in my work. Your encouragement is the driving force behind my passion and commitment.

If my creations have resonated with you, I invite you to take a moment to extend your support.

Let's celebrate our collective creative spirit!

https://lnkd.in/g3UJ22rh

#nationalcreatorsaward #drpal #healthandfitness

📌 2020: Only my patients appreciated my humour and I have 0 social presence.
📌 2023: The entire world laughs with me when I do MedCom and have amazing 3M+ followers across my social media channels.




In March 2020, one of my videos on COVID-19 went viral, giving rise to a genre that we can call MedCom (medical comedy).

The video focused on important medical topics, infused with humour to make them more palatable. I never imagined that 3.5M+ people would follow me across channels and enjoy my medcom.

People come to a gastroenterologist with diseases like haemorrhoids and piles, which they find embarrassing to describe.

When patients have to discuss stool habits, related changes, acidity etc, they don’t open up right away.

So I started breaking the ice using a joke. They loved it, so I stuck to it

My patients were my biggest motivation and that is how I got the courage to do my first stint as a 39-year-old comedian in Bay Area California.

When I joined the building 18 comedy club. I absolutely had no clue how to even write a script. I did not even know what a punch or a stand-up comedy was.

After spending some time in this field, I believe comedy is an art and sometimes I feel it’s more difficult than medicine.

I believe I can change somebody’s life sitting in Sacramento, talking to a camera, why shouldn’t I do it? and content creation does it for me.

Let me know which is your favourite video of mine in the comments below.

#medcom #drpal