Hospital's marketing gimmick

My maternal grandparents, who are both diabetic, always go to one of the leading diabetic specialist centers in the city for consultation. 

In the last few years, this hospital has expanded and have many branches across the state.

Every time they go in for a consultation, the doctor writes down the date for their next consultation visit in their file. As the hospital grew, they started a new process of calling their patients and reminding them of their next consultation date. This seemed to be a good gesture on the part of the hospital. However, when they they repeatedly call the patients until they agree to fix an appointment, one realizes that they are actually done to get the business running. 

Some patients, like my grandparents think that the doctor is really concerned about their health and hence asks the hospital to make the call on his behalf. They don't understand that the doctor is just a visiting consultant and has nothing to do with these marketing calls.

It irritates us when they do it to patients especially during the covid situation.

Asking elderly diabetic patients to venture out and visit the hospital is risky since they are the people who are more susceptible to the spread of this virus. On the other hand, the hospital was crowded, no great safety precautions despite being a hospital for treating diabetic patients who have low immune system. They check the temperature before entering and spray a few drops of disinfectant on your hand (a practice that even small retail stores do these days). Some of the staff members did not even wear the mask.

Finally, it took us days to convince my grandfather that it was not necessary for him to visit his doctor since he had no health issues and was stable. He grudgingly accepted it. 

I wish hospitals like these are mindful of a patient's age and their illness before making these marketing calls.