Abbasiya Hospital Calls for Suspension of ‘Ramez Magnoun Rasmi’

The Abbasiya Mental Health Hospital has released a statement calling for the immediate suspension of Ramez Galal’s Ramadan prank show, ‘Ramez Magnoun Rasmi.’ The hospital operates under the Ministry of Health and Population, and appealed to the Supreme Council for Media Regulation to open an investigation into the production.

In its official statement, the hospital stated that the programme is harmful to the Egyptian community’s mental health, especially during this anxiety-ridden time, wherein Galal portrays a lot of “violence, torture, mockery, disrespect to the show’s guests, and delights in the pain caused to them.”

The statement added that the very name of the show - which cheerfully refers to the host as "Insane" - is injurious to individuals who suffer from mental illnesses and further propagates the already harsh stigma that they face. They added that this show is particularly harmful to children, who may be prompted to imitate Galal's behaviour, particularly when he is seen “bragging about exercising his influence, which is a classic trait of narcissism.”

In the case that guests of the programme did not give preliminary consent or were not made aware of the nature of the show before appearing on it, they may be exposed to bouts of panic, fear, and anxiety or in extreme cases, post-traumatic stress, according to the statement. In the case that consent was given by show guests, the hospital finds it unacceptable to wager on their own physical and mental safety for financial gain and to make that look acceptable to the Egyptian public.