Jalaun doc makes child smoke cigarette to ‘treat’ cold; probe on
The BAMC doctor, posted at the CHC in Kuthaund, allegedly arranged a cigarette, and charged the boy’s family ₹100 f
KANPUR A government doctor in Uttar Pradesh has been transferred after a video showed him purportedly making a five-year-old boysmoke a cigarette to “treat” cold, an official said on Wednesday, adding that a probe has been ordered against him.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the incident took place on March 28 when the boy’s parents brought him to the hospital for a cold.
In a video widely circulated online, Suresh Chandra, a BAMS doctor posted at the CHC in Kuthaund area of Jalaun district, is seen making the boy put a cigarette to his mouth. He then lit the cigarette up and asked the boy many times to smoke it.
The parents were first asked to make him smoke Gudang Garam cigarette as he said it would loosen up the cough and the boy would feel better. He did not prescribe it. However, when the parents told him the cigarette was not available in such a remote area, the doctor said he had it andalso allegedly charged the boy’s family ₹100 for one cigarette, said an official.
Taking cognisance of the matter, chief medical officer of the hospital, Dr Narendra Dev Sharma, said Chandra has been transferred to the district headquarters and a probe launched against him under additional CMO Dr SD Chaudhary. He added that a detailed report will be submitted 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 future,” said Sharma.
The CMO said the doctor had earlier been removed from the Kuthaund centre following complaints of misconduct. “Chandra had already been removed from his post due to a complaint of physical assault. The cigarette video has now also been taken into account. An inquiry has been handed over to the ACMO, and a letter is being sent to the state government recommending strict action against the doctor,” he said.
Kuthaund CHC in charge Arun Tiwari said: “Suresh Chandra was transferred to the district hospital’s TB department eight days ago. I have no knowledge of this video.”
.
