Lucknow:
The Uttar Pradesh Health Department has suspended Dr. Suresh Chandra, a BAMS doctor posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kuthaund, after a video surfaced last month showing him forcing a 5-year-old boy to smoke a cigarette as a supposed cure for cold and cough.
The shocking incident, which went viral on April 7, prompted swift administrative action. Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed the doctor’s suspension on Tuesday and stated that a chargesheet would be filed, with further disciplinary action underway.
Incident Sparks Outrage
In the viral video, Dr. Chandra is seen encouraging the child to smoke and instructing his parents to allow it, claiming it would “clear the chest.” The boy’s parents, reportedly from a remote area, complied with the doctor’s instructions and even purchased a cigarette from him for Rs 100, under the belief it was part of the treatment.
Rather than prescribing conventional medicine, the doctor demonstrated how to smoke and compelled the child to inhale. The act sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation from health professionals across the country.
Swift Administrative Action
Initially transferred to the district headquarters pending an inquiry, Dr. Chandra was later found guilty by an official probe committee. The committee cited gross misconduct, abusive behavior, and endangering a minor’s health.
A government spokesperson told The Times of India, “Dr. Suresh Chandra was found guilty of behaving inappropriately, using abusive language, and, above all, teaching a five-year-old to smoke. This is a grave violation of medical ethics and public trust.”
Health Minister Vows Zero Tolerance
Health Minister Brajesh Pathak reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward such incidents and assured the public that strict disciplinary measures would follow. “The safety and well-being of patients, especially children, is non-negotiable,” he stated.
