Suhail Rather

Srinagar, Oct 26 (KNS): The five-day hunger strike in Gurez ended on Monday after the government deployed two gynaecologists to CHC Dawar, but the shifting of Dr Sheikh Firdous from District Hospital Bandipora has raised questions over the Health Department’s decision to replace an existing specialist while addressing the healthcare crisis in the remote valley.

The deployment, which followed protests over inadequate maternal healthcare facilities in Gurez, has been welcomed by residents. However, the decision to move Dr Firdous, who was already attending outpatient cases and performing theatre duties at DH Bandipora, has prompted calls for clarification from the authorities.

According to an order issued by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir on October 24, Dr Sheikh Firdous, Medical Officer (DGO), was temporarily deployed from DH Bandipora to CHC Dawar along with Dr Nusrat Nabi, Medical Officer (Gynaecologist), from SDH Chadoora.

The same order deployed Dr Moseen Moneer, Medical Officer (DNB Gynaecology), to District Hospital Bandipora.

The simultaneous postings have raised a question among residents: why was a serving gynaecologist shifted from Bandipora when another specialist had to be deployed to the same hospital?

Residents said Dr Firdous had been providing both OPD and theatre services at the district hospital and sought an explanation of the administrative and medical considerations behind his shifting.

They said the deployment of specialists to Gurez was necessary and overdue, particularly after the recent maternal death that exposed serious gaps in emergency healthcare. However, they questioned whether the same objective could have been achieved without changing the existing arrangement at DH Bandipora.

The concerns centre on continuity of patient care, particularly for women requiring specialist consultations, emergency treatment and surgical intervention.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The developments followed the death of Haseena Begum, a pregnant woman from Mazgund village in Tulail, and her baby earlier this month.

Her death triggered protests in Gurez on October 14, with residents alleging that inadequate medical facilities and difficulties in emergency evacuation contributed to the tragedy.

Begum was reportedly first taken to PHC Sheikhpora, where protesters alleged medical staff were unavailable, before being shifted to CHC Dawar. Doctors subsequently advised referral to District Hospital Bandipora, but snowfall around Razdan Pass reportedly complicated her evacuation.

The incident intensified demands for specialist doctors, a functional operation theatre, blood storage facilities and permanent emergency obstetric services in Gurez.

Following the deployment of two gynaecologists, residents called off their five-day hunger strike on Monday.

However, the deployment order does not, by itself, establish whether the newly posted doctors will have the infrastructure and support required to conduct emergency caesarean sections at CHC Dawar, one of the central demands raised during the protests.

In Bandipora, residents have urged Health Minister Sakina Itoo and Director Health Services Kashmir to clarify why Dr Firdous was selected for deployment and whether the replacement arrangement would maintain existing OPD and surgical services.

They maintained that improving healthcare in Gurez and protecting established services at District Hospital Bandipora should not be competing priorities.

The questions now facing the Health Department concern both the rationale for the specialist reshuffle and the long-term arrangements needed to ensure uninterrupted maternal healthcare in the two areas.(KNS)