Tamil Nadu YouTuber apologises after row over video of him cutting newborn's umbilical cord

Sources told DH that YouTuber Irfan wrote to J Rajamoorthy, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services, expressing regret over uploading the video of him cutting the umbilical cord of his newborn on YouTube.

Chennai: Under fire for cutting the umbilical cord of his newborn inside a private hospital’s operation theatre and filming it, popular Tamil Nadu YouTuber Irfan on Saturday expressed regret over the controversy and said he respected the rules and didn’t intend any harm.

The "regret" by Irfan comes three days after the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) barred the private hospital where he shot the video from all patient care activities for 10 days, except in the case of antenatal mothers who are on continuous treatment.

Sources told DH that Irfan wrote to J Rajamoorthy, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services, expressing regret over uploading the video of him cutting the umbilical cord of his newborn on YouTube. “He has said in the letter that he didn’t upload the video intentionally and that he has high regards for the law,” a source in the know said.

The video of Irfan cutting the umbilical cord of his newborn was posted over last weekend, garnering about 14 lakh views. After an uproar over the issue, Irfan has deleted the video from his YouTube channel, but the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services issued a notice to him and the private hospital, seeking a detailed explanation on the issue.

The DMS also withdrew the Clinical Establishment Act registration of the Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Sholinganallur on the IT Corridor for 10 days from October 24. The hospital can only treat pregnant women who are on continuous treatment at the hospital.

The video showed the lady doctor asking Irfan if he wants to cut the umbilical cord and instructs her associates to give him a pair of glouse.

“Very good,” the doctor tells the YouTuber following which the baby is taken from the operation theatre to a near-by room for further care. Later, the doctor tells Irfan’s family members that he cut the umbilical cord.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian had taken strong objection to the video and said a case has been filed before the Chemancherry Police Station against Irfan and Dr Niveditha, who works with the private hospital.

The minister said the video was in violation of Section 34 (1)&(2) of the National Medical Commission Act which clearly states anyone who is allowed to practice without being enrolled in the State or National register may be punished with a maximum jail term of one year, or with a fine which may extend to Rs 5 lakh or with both.

Irfan is widely regarded as one of the best flood vloggers in Tamil Nadu with his YouTube channel consisting of around 46 lakh subscribers. He was in the news recently for revealing the gender of his newborn, which is a violation in India, by hosting a party and uploading the video on social media after conducting a prenatal test in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).