Australia's so-called clown doctors have forged a reputation for bringing much-needed smiles to the faces of the sickest children across the country.
And it seems they are not alone.
Other medico-funnymen are buoying spirits in some of the world's most fragmented and devastated places.
"Any hospital, the way I see it, is a small country. I work the same day, sometimes in the same room, with Arab, Jewish, Christian, people who live in Jerusalem, people that live in Gaza, people who came from other countries."
One of those is visiting Australia to share his experiences working in one of the world's most volatile countries.
This clown-of-sorts won't venture far without his bag of tricks, filled with a red clown nose to finger puppets and even nail polish.
All the way from Israel, David Barashi - known as "Dush" - was right at home plying his humour and message in Australia, sharing stories of his life as a clown doctor in one of the world's most volatile countries.
"Any hospital, the way I see it, is a small country. I work the same day, sometimes in the same room, with Arab, Jewish, Christian, people who live in Jerusalem, people that live in Gaza, people who came from other countries," he said.
That work includes humanitarian missions and relief efforts, even accompanying the Israeli Defence Force to earthquake devastated Nepal as part of their emergency relief team.
'Creating the game of life'
The clown doctors aren't actually medicos, but performers.
In some of the world's most hostile and disaster affected environments, their role of lightening the mood is profound.
"In a place where life and death plays who will win at the end of the day, you always can find somebody that wants to smile, that wants to create the game of life," Mr Barashi said.
"Dush" is in Australia to share his wisdom and experience with his Australian counterparts.
David Symons, the artistic director of The Humour Foundation, said the broader "clown movement" brings much needed laughter to children with a variety of needs
"We deal with people from zero to 18 years old, so that's patients who are just coming in for in-patient checks, right through to patients who are long term patients who have life threatening illnesses," Mr Symons said.
It is estimated 70,000 children interact with clown doctors in Australia each year.
'Laughter improves the immune system'
Melbourne's Royal Childrens Hospital is one of 22 around the country to engage the services of the clowns, with physiological and psychological benefits reported.
"Laughter is great for improving the immune system, it has a similar affect to exercise on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems."
"Also great are the psychological impacts of making people cope better in difficult situations and creating bonds between people and making people feel more in control," My Symons said.
Doctor Stephen Parnis, vice president of the Australian Medical Association, said he is hopeful that the program will be expanded to reach even more hospitals and patients.
"There's certainly evidence it improves things for kids and we think that should be available wherever possible and use the examples of places where it is currently in use now as a guide."
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