Kupwara, Sep 23: Residents of the snowbound Keran sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have demanded the posting of a gynaecologist at the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC), saying the absence of a specialist is causing hardships to pregnant women.
The residents said expectant mothers are forced to travel more than 60 kilometres to Kupwara for specialist consultation and treatment.
The situation becomes particularly difficult during winter when heavy snowfall cuts off Keran from the district headquarters for several days and traffic on the Kupwara-Keran road remains suspended.
“During heavy snowfall, Keran remains cut off from the district headquarters for several days. Pregnant women face the most hardships as they cannot travel to Kupwara for medical care,” a resident said.
Residents said several pregnant women had to be airlifted from Keran last year after developing complications when the road remained closed.
They also recalled an incident in which a woman delivered a baby at NTPHC Keran after she was admitted there while the Kupwara-Keran road was blocked due to heavy snowfall.
The residents said they have repeatedly approached the concerned authorities, seeking deployment of a gynaecologist at the health centre at least twice a week, but their demand has not been addressed.
“We have moved from pillar to post to get our genuine demand fulfilled, but nothing has been done so far,” a resident said.
Another local said residents had requested the authorities several times to depute a gynaecologist to Keran at least twice a week.
“We are now fed up and have lost hope of seeing a gynaecologist at our hospital,” the resident said.
The residents have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Health Department to intervene and ensure regular availability of a gynaecologist at NTPHC Keran, particularly ahead of the winter season.
