Suhail Rather

Bandipora, Oct 16 (KNS): The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the deaths of a woman and her newborn baby in Gurez, Bandipora district, and directed it to submit its findings within five days.

According to an order issued on October 15, the committee will examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Haseena Begum, wife of Showkat Ahmad Lone, a resident of Mazgund Tulail, on October 14.

The committee will be headed by Dr Saba Wani, Deputy Director Schemes, DHSK, with Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Malla, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Bandipora; Dr Rohana Ali, Consultant Gynaecologist, Gousia Hospital Srinagar; and Dr Musadiq Ahmad Khan, Medical Officer and Nodal Officer, DHSK, as members.

The committee has been directed to determine whether the deaths resulted from medical negligence or other causes and submit its report within five days of the order's issuance.

As reported earlier by Kashmir News Service (KNS), the newborn died at Sub-District Hospital Dawar on October 14, while the mother was referred to District Hospital Bandipora, where she was declared brought dead.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The incident triggered protests in Gurez, with residents questioning the availability of emergency maternal healthcare, blood supplies and timely referral facilities in the remote region.

The Block Medical Officer had earlier said the woman was referred from PHC Sheikhpora with a haemoglobin level of 5 g/dL and arrived at SDH Dawar in a state of shock, with intrauterine death already reported.

According to the BMO, doctors attempted to stabilise the patient and arrange her referral to Bandipora, but snowfall and road restrictions initially prevented the ambulance from proceeding.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurez, had also said the administration sought assistance from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to clear the snow-covered road.

The family has alleged shortcomings in medical care, including concerns over the availability of medical personnel at PHC Sheikhpora.

The inquiry comes amid growing demands for accountability and improved emergency healthcare facilities in Gurez.

The allegations of medical negligence remain unproven, and further action will depend on the committee's findings. (KNS)