'Drag a puff...': Uttar Pradesh doctor makes child smoke cigarette for treating cold, probe initiated

Lucknow: One may have seen doctors administering injections and prescribing medicines to treat patients but in Uttar Pradesh a doctor allegedly made a child, who was brought to him for treatment of cold, smoke cigarettes as part of treatment.

The incident happened at the primary health centre at Kuthaund in UP’s Jalaun district and the doctor was identified as Suresh Chandra.

A video purportedly showing the doctor egging the little child on to drag a puff of cigarette and also seen lighting the cigarette has gone viral on social media.

‘’Ham jala rahe hain....aur kheencho....andar kheenchon yaar’’ (I am lighting the cigarette....drag a puff....drag deeper buddy), the doctor is heard telling the child.

‘’Aaj ki training itni hi hai....baki kal sikhayenge’’ (today’s training is now over...will teach you the rest tomorrow), the doctor was further heard telling the child.

According to the reports, the incident happened last month but it came to light on Wednesday after the video surfaced on social media.

Sources said that a probe was ordered into the matter after some locals complained against the doctor and the latter was transferred out. The locals have demanded stern action against the doctor.

‘’We are investigating the matter...we will take strict action against the doctor if the video is found to be true....it is shameful,’’ said a senior district health official in Orai, the district headquarters.