Expectant mothers in Kupwara villages forced to risk treacherous treks for care

Kupwara, Nov 26: Residents of several heavily snowbound areas in Kupwara’s frontier belt continue to face severe hardships due to the absence of gynaecologist doctors, a gap that has exposed the disconnect between official claims of improved rural healthcare and ground realities.

Villages including Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Kumkadi, Jumagund, Moori and others—many located close to the Line of Control—have for years been demanding the posting of specialist doctors, especially as winter cuts off these areas from the district headquarters for long periods.

Locals expressed deep resentment over the authorities’ failure to deploy gynaecologists despite repeated pleas. They said basic healthcare infrastructure in these remote regions remains inadequate.

Residents of Machil said that though a Primary Health Centre exists, it falls far short of meeting the population’s needs. “Whenever we request a gynaecologist for PHC Dudi, we are told the post doesn’t exist,” former sarpanch Habibullah said.

Similar concerns were echoed in Keran, where residents said pregnant women continue to suffer in the absence of specialist care. “We have been demanding a gynaecologist for the NTPHC for years, but nothing has changed,” a local youth said.

With roads blocked during winter, residents often carry patients on makeshift cots for several kilometres before reaching a motorable stretch near Ferkin Top. Last winter, several pregnant women had to be airlifted after developing complications.

Locals urged authorities to at least deploy gynaecologists for a few days each week to ease the suffering of expectant mothers.

A senior health official acknowledged the problem, saying the matter has been taken up with higher authorities. “The concerned MLAs are very serious about this issue and have raised it with the Health Minister. Hopefully, we will see some concrete development soon,” he said.