Suhail Rather

Bandipora, Oct 15 (KNS): Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib on Thursday said an inquiry had been ordered into the death of a woman and her newborn baby in Gurez, assuring strict action against anyone found responsible for negligence.

Chib said a preliminary inquiry had already been conducted and its report, along with a proposal for action against the doctor concerned, had been submitted to the Director of Health Services.

She said financial assistance had also been provided to the bereaved family through the Red Cross.

The development comes a day after markets remained shut in Dawar, the main town of Gurez, as residents staged protests demanding accountability over the deaths.

The deceased, Haseena Begum, wife of Showkat Hameed Lone, was a resident of Mazgund village in Tulail.

According to the family, the woman was taken to Primary Health Centre Sheikhpora on Tuesday evening, where medical staff were allegedly unavailable. She was subsequently shifted to Sub-District Hospital Dawar, where doctors advised her referral to District Hospital Bandipora following deterioration in her condition.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The family alleged that delays in arranging her transfer, compounded by snowfall and difficult road conditions, contributed to the tragedy.

The newborn reportedly died before delivery, while the woman was declared dead on arrival at District Hospital Bandipora on Wednesday morning.

However, officials have offered differing accounts of the referral process.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate said the administration had coordinated with the concerned agencies to assess road conditions and facilitate ambulance movement, while the Block Medical Officer maintained that the Health Department had informed the administration in time.

Health Minister Sakina Itoo had earlier assured action if negligence or administrative lapses were established.

The incident has renewed concerns over emergency maternal healthcare, medical staffing and the availability of critical healthcare facilities in the remote Gurez Valley, particularly during adverse weather.

The inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any medical or administrative negligence occurred. (KNS)