Bandipora, Nov 25: As winter sets in, expecting mothers in the Gurez valley of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district are bracing for a difficult season ahead.
With heavy snowfall expected to cut off road connectivity to Gurez for months, managing medical emergencies — especially complications during pregnancy — is becoming increasingly challenging. The situation is compounded by the absence of a permanent gynaecologist at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Dawar, the central Tehsil that handles cases from far-flung areas such as Tulail, Bagtore and other remote villages. Tulail itself remains internally cut off for most of the winter.
This lack of specialist care has forced many expecting mothers to relocate to Bandipora district headquarters or nearby villages on verbal advice from local medicos. Those who can afford it move to Srinagar months before the first snowfall. But for many families, relocation is financially impossible, leaving mothers-to-be with no option but to depend on natural births and divine mercy.
“In Gurez, the biggest problem with gynaecology is that every year pregnant women are told in advance to shift to Bandipora or Srinagar during winter,” said Abdul Raheem, a resident.
Residents said relocation is neither simple nor affordable. “It is not just one person who moves — the entire family has to shift. It is very costly. Some people can afford it, some cannot,” a resident said.
Repeated appeals to the government have not resulted in a permanent solution. “We raise this issue each time but expect mothers to continue to suffer in silence,” said Mohammad Hamza Lone.
The rotational posting of a gynaecologist for 15 days has also failed, locals said, as frequent travel, weather disruptions and poor connectivity make it unreliable. Helicopter evacuations during winter depend entirely on weather clarity, leaving critical patients stranded for days.
Residents have urged the administration, the Chief Minister, the Lieutenant Governor and the health authorities to ensure a permanent gynaecologist is posted in Gurez during winter. With a newly inaugurated blood storage facility and surgeons already available, locals say the infrastructure now justifies regular specialist staffing. If a permanent posting is not possible, they suggest posting two gynaecologists on rotation so that at least one is always available during the winter months.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Chib, said the administration is aware of the problem and has “mapped all expecting mothers” whose due dates fall within the next four to five months. “We will arrange accommodation for them at the district headquarters, and they can stay with us,” she said.
Acknowledging the financial hardship of residents from remote areas like Tulail, she said it is extremely challenging for them to relocate months in advance.
The DC added that winter road closures have reduced in recent years, and efforts are underway to keep the Gurez-Bandipora road open for as long as possible. According to the BRO, the road remained closed for only 25 to 30 days over the past two winters.
Helicopter services, she said, will prioritise pregnant women. “We have already met the Army. Our helicopter services are regulated, and we will keep pregnant mothers as a priority.”
She confirmed that while a gynaecologist is posted in Gurez, the posting is not permanent. The matter has been taken up with the Directorate of Health Services, and the administration will again write to them seeking a long-term solution.
