Kupwara, Nov 10: The residents of the Machil sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have expressed strong resentment against the authorities for failing to post a gynaecologist at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Duddi. They said the absence of a specialist has severely affected maternal healthcare in the far-flung area.
Locals said that despite repeated pleas over the years, no gynaecologist has ever been posted in Machil, forcing expecting mothers to travel long distances to Kupwara, around 50 kilometres away. The situation becomes dire during winters when heavy snowfall cuts off the area from the district headquarters for several days.
“During heavy snowfall, Machil remains disconnected from Kupwara, and pregnant women face the worst hardships as the road remains closed,” said a local resident, Habibullah. “In case of medical emergencies, we have to carry patients on our shoulders for over 20 kilometres to reach Zamindar Gali (Z-Gali) before finding a cab to Kupwara,” he added.
Another resident, Jamal Din, said several pregnant women have lost their lives in the past due to delays in receiving proper medical attention. “It is unfortunate that despite repeated tragedies, no gynaecologist has been deputed here,” he said.
Residents also pointed out that young unmarried women in the area suffer in silence due to the lack of a female specialist. “They hesitate to disclose their medical issues because there is no gynaecologist available in the entire Machil sector,” a resident said.
Locals said they have approached the concerned authorities multiple times, requesting that a gynaecologist be deputed at least twice a week, but their appeals have gone unheard. “We have lost hope now,” one of them remarked.
The residents have urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to intervene and ensure that a gynaecologist is posted at PHC Duddi without further delay to alleviate the suffering of the people.
