Doctor Asks 5-Year-Old To Smoke Cigarette To Cure Cold, Faces Probe After Video Goes Viral

Chief Medical Officer Dr Narendra Dev Sharma stated that Dr Suresh Chandra, posted at the Central Health Centre in Kuthaund, has been transferred, and a probe has been ordered.

Image for representation.

Source : PTI

A doctor has been transferred and a probe has been launched after he made a young boy smoke a cigarette as a part of a cold in Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Wednesday.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Narendra Dev Sharma told news agency PTI that Dr Suresh Chandra, posted at the Central Health Centre in Kuthaund, has been transferred, and a probe has been ordered against him after a video of the incident surfaced.

In the video, Dr Chandra is seen asking the minor to hold a cigarette in his mouth. The doctor is then seen lighting the cigarette and repeatedly asking the boy to take a puff.

Inquiry Ordered

The video quickly spread on social media, drawing widespread outrage and criticism. The CMO ordered an inquiry into the incident on March 28, which reportedly took place earlier that month. Following the controversy, Dr. Chandra was transferred to the district headquarters.

An investigation is being conducted by Additional CMO Dr. S.D. Chaudhary, who will submit a detailed report to the state government. "This kind of incident will not be tolerated in the district. We have issued strict instructions to prevent such occurrences in the future," said Dr Sharma.