Hepatologist and medical influencer Cyriac Abby Philips, known as The Liver Doc on social media, has reignited the controversy surrounding actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s endorsement of alternative therapy. The dispute began when Samantha suggested nebulising hydrogen peroxide and distilled water as an alternative treatment for viral infections on her podcast, “Take 20.”
The Initial Controversy
The controversy kicked off when The Liver Doc criticized Samantha for promoting what he termed “health and science illiterate” advice. He argued that in a “rational and progressive society,” she could have faced legal repercussions for making such claims. Samantha responded with a lengthy statement explaining that she found alternative treatments that worked for her through “trial and error” and emphasized that her suggestions came from a medical professional with over 25 years of experience who had shifted from conventional medicine to alternative therapies. She also assured that she would be more careful about medical advice in the future.
The 2021 Post Resurfaces
Despite the initial fallout, The Liver Doc has now dug up an old social media post from Samantha dated back to 2021. In this post, Samantha addressed public expectations for actors to comment on important topics, stating, “We’re entertainers, Not fact-checkers. Why are actors crucified for having an opinion about the important matters pertaining to the world? We are humans too and We make mistakes too. But canceling us for speaking out or not speaking out aloud on each & every topic is a bit unfair, don’t you think?” She concluded, “Let us stick to what we do best… making you fall in love with our performances ❤️.”
The Liver Doc shared a screenshot of the phrase “We’re entertainers, Not fact-checkers” from her post on X (formerly Twitter) and added, “We are like this only. Sigh. Anyway. ‘I’m not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.’ — Winnie the Pooh.”
Reactions from Celebrities
The dispute has drawn reactions from various celebrities. Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej supported The Liver Doc’s stance while condemning his choice of words. Indian badminton player Jwala Gutta also commented, asking Samantha if she would take responsibility for any fatalities resulting from her alternative medical advice. On the other hand, Samantha’s colleagues, including Varun Dhawan, Rhea Chakraborty, and Manchu Lakshmi, have expressed their support for the actor.
The Ongoing Debate
The controversy highlights a broader debate about the responsibility of public figures in sharing health-related information. While Samantha insists that her recommendations were based on personal experiences and professional advice, critics like The Liver Doc argue that promoting unverified alternative therapies can be dangerous and misleading.
As the debate continues, it underscores the importance of accurate information and the potential consequences of misinformation, especially when it comes to health and medical treatments.
