Reaching hard-to-reach areas | 147 expecting mothers shifted to nearest health facilities in February

Srinagar, Feb 22:  To reduce maternal, perinatal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality, over 147 expecting mothers from hard-to-reach areas were shifted to the nearest health facilities in Kashmir this month.

During winters, far-flung areas in Kashmir remain a concern.

Areas like Gurez, Karnah, Tangdhar, Machil, and others in Chenab Valley remain cut off during winter for months and it becomes difficult for pregnant women for timely medical interventions.

Last year, a pregnant woman in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district gave birth to a child while she was being taken to a hospital on a makeshift cot as the village lacked proper road connectivity.

As per the officials, of the 147 expecting mothers, 73 were from Anantnag where 40 deliveries were conducted of which 28 were conducted through a lower (uterine) segment Caesarean section (LSCS) or C-sections.

In Kupwara district, of the 74 expecting mothers, 40 deliveries have been conducted so far.

As per the hospital records, expecting mothers from far-flung areas of Sarmarag, Drunkard Hyhama, Jadda, Gabra, Dhani, Gundi Gujran, Prada, Phalmarg, Batpora, Bahramdori, Hari, Marsari, Chowkibal, Natnusa, Magam, Waskhora, Chogal, Lawoosa, and Trehgam were shifted to better facilities.

Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) spokesman, Dr Mir Mushtaq told Greater Kashmir that on the directions of the Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department, women whose Expected Delivery Dates (EDD) were near were shifted to nearby health facilities for safe deliveries during winter.

“The establishment of control rooms at both district and block levels also ensured efficient coordination and timely responses to any emerging needs or emergencies. This multi-agency approach involved close collaboration with allied departments within the district, further bolstering the effectiveness of the initiative,” he said. “These efforts are helpful for maternal and child health, particularly in the face of adverse winter conditions.”