Bandipora | October, 14: The death of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby triggered a shutdown and protests in Gurez on Wednesday, with residents alleging that a delay in shifting her to a hospital in Bandipora contributed to the tragedy. Markets in Dawar remained closed as residents blocked roads, shut shops and staged a sit-in, raising slogans against the local administration, particularly the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), over the handling of the case, witnesses said.
Health Minister Sakina Itoo said strict action would be taken if any lapses were found. “We have taken action in the past in such cases. If the deaths occurred due to lapses, action will follow,” she said. The deceased, Haseen Bagem, wife of Showket Hameed Lone and a resident of Mazgund village in Tulail, was taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Sheikhpora late on Tuesday evening. Her family alleged that no medical staff were available there, following which she was shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Gurez. Doctors at SDH Gurez reportedly found her blood levels critically low and advised her immediate referral to District Hospital Bandipora.
The family alleged that snowfall and restrictions on movement delayed the transfer. They claimed that Project Beacon, the Border Roads Organisation’s road maintenance wing, had agreed to clear the road for the ambulance, but permission to proceed was not granted by the SDM. “She remained in pain throughout the night, and the baby died in the womb before delivery at SDH Gurez around midnight,” a family member alleged. A senior doctor at District Hospital Bandipora said the woman was brought to the hospital at around 8 am on Wednesday and was declared dead on arrival.
SDM Gurez Dr Mukhtar denied the allegations, saying he was informed by medical authorities that the patient required referral to Bandipora. He said snowfall around Razdan Pass had initially hampered movement, but after receiving assurances from Project Beacon that the road was open, the patient was shifted during the early hours of Wednesday. However, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Gurez Dr Feroz Iqbal said the health department had informed the administration in time but was not allowed to shift the patient promptly. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora Dr Bhajan Kour said the health department had launched an inquiry into the incident and described the deaths as unfortunate, reports said.
