Kupwara, Nov 24: A woman in the snowbound area of Machil, North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, gave birth to a baby on the road on Sunday after being unable to reach a hospital due to snowfall blocking the road.
The incident has sparked outrage among locals and prompted authorities to launch an inquiry into the alleged failure of emergency response services.
According to reports, the woman from Chontiwari Payeen, Machil, delivered her baby on the roadside as her family struggled to navigate the snow-covered route. A video of the incident went viral on social media, with residents expressing anger over the lack of timely snow clearance and proper road connectivity.
A heartbreaking video shared on social media shows a group of women desperately trying to help a woman deliver a baby on the road, as they crouch beneath a sheet.
“This is a glaring example of how disconnected we are during winters. The peak winter season is yet to arrive, and we are already facing such crises,” said Abdul Jabar, a local resident. “Every year, we are left at the mercy of God in winters. Despite promises, the administration has failed to ensure basic facilities like road connectivity and snow clearance.”
Residents demanded improved healthcare facilities in the area to prevent such incidents. “This is not the first case in winter. Women and critically ill patients are often left unattended, and every year we wait for authorities to address our grievances,” another resident added.
Officials from the snowbound area claimed the woman was advised to stay in Kupwara but ignored medical advice. Despite this, locals maintained that the lack of healthcare infrastructure and effective road clearance was the primary cause of the incident.
Responding to public outrage, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) took serious note of the matter and ordered an inquiry. As per Order No. 3′ VPS of 2024, dated November 24, 2024, an inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the incident.
The committee includes Dr. Jehanzaib Tanki, Deputy Director (Dentistry), DHSK, as Chairman, Dr. Yasmeen Kangoo, Assistant Director, DHSK, as Member, Dr. Arjumand Bashir, DNO, DHSK, as Member, and Aijaz Hussain Bhat as Member.
The directive mandates the Chief Medical Officer of Kupwara and associated healthcare staff, including ASHA workers, to appear before the committee on November 25, 2024, at 2:00 PM. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings with specific recommendations within two days to enable appropriate action against those found negligent.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that both the mother and baby are in good health and receiving proper medical care.
The incident has reignited calls for better road connectivity and healthcare infrastructure in remote areas of Kupwara to ensure such tragedies do not recur.
