Tamil Nadu Youtuber childbirth video controversy: Social media players vs medical protocol

The TN govt had filed a complaint against YouTuber Mohamed Irfan for posting a video of his child’s birth and sent show-cause notices to the hospital for permitting attendants and cameras inside a sterile operation theatre recently. A day later, city doctors were divided in their views on social media, duty rooms, and cafeterias.
Senior vascular surgeon Dr Amalorpavanathan Joseph, a member of the State Planning Commission, said action must be taken against the individual, the hospital, and the doctor who permitted this. “Human lives and childbirth are not YouTube tamashas,” he said. He also argued that unlike in the west, doctors in India get beaten up if the husband and relatives are not satisfied with the outcome. “Wake up to this reality before allowing the partner in the labour room in India,” he said.
Senior gynaecologists disagree. Studies have shown that having a companion improves outcomes for women and newborns, says senior obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Uma Ram. Many western countries support birthing companions. While Tamil Nadu was among the first states to permit a birthing companion (women) in labour wards of govt hospitals in 2004, nearly 12 years later, the Union health ministry said in facilities where privacy protocols are followed in the labour room, the husband of the pregnant woman can be allowed as a birth companion.
Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), which focuses on enhancing maternal and child healthcare, promotes the presence of a birthing companion. “Many private hospitals in India permit family to be present in the labour ward and operating theatres. There is no law prohibiting this,” said Indore-based obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Bunglowala Jyoti, who chairs FOGSI’s ethics and medico-legal committee. She noted that these initiatives help increase the number of women giving birth in healthcare facilities, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
It is, however, important for the family to give consent. “Once consent is given, many hospitals take this a step further and allow husbands to cut the umbilical cord,” she said. These cannot be defined in a protocol as things can change in a theatre or labour room, she said. “When there are complications, doctors hold the right to ask family members to step out,” she said.
Many senior gynaecologists agree. “Doctors, mostly in cities, allow families to record the baby’s first cry or parents’ emotions in the delivery room, but they must give consent for publishing them on social media,” said FOGSI vice-president Dr Charmila Ayyavoo. “It should not seem like an advertisement for the hospital,” she said. Most importantly, hospitals should take adequate precautions. “Birth companions must wear sterilised aprons, masks, and gloves. The surgical field is holy and cannot be polluted,” she said.
Entering surgical fields with bare hands and forearms can increase the risk of transmitting bacteria to patients or other surfaces, leading to healthcareassociated infections (HAIs), said Chennai-based gynaecologist Dr Jayashree Gajaraj.
‘Violation of regulations’
Health minister Ma Subramanian told reporters that legal and police action would be initiated against YouTuber Mohamed Irfan for violating medical regulations. “Irfan was in the operating room and cut the umbilical cord. This is a violation of the National Medical Commission Act 2021,” the minister said. A notice had already been served to the hospital, and a formal complaint lodged against Irfan at Semmancheri police station, he said.
The doctor who allowed this violation would also face disciplinary action as a complaint was filed against her with the TN State Medical Commission, he added. Tamil Nadu BJP Treasurer S R Sekhar in a post on X, wondered why no case had been filed against Irfan for cutting the umbilical cord on video.
He further questioned whether Irfan’s political connections were allowing him to release such controversial content.