Medical Apathy in Kishtwar, Worse Roads and Lack of Medical Facilities Force Pregnant Women to Deliver on the Roadside in Bunjwah Kishtwar

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

SHAFQAT SHEIKH

CHENAB VALLEY MAR 05:-In a shocking and heartbreaking incident in the Bunjwah region of Kishtwar district, a pregnant woman gave birth on the roadside while trying to reach the nearest Primary Health Centre in Nali. Because of the poor condition of the Patnazi-Kither road, she had to be carried on a makeshift stretcher (palki), as no vehicles could navigate the crumbling infrastructure. Local representatives, including the District Development Council (DDC) Member for Bunjwah and MLA Inderwal, have neglected this urgent issue for far too long.

Local sources report that the woman’s family hurried her to a nearby health facility, but the poor condition of the Patnazi-Bunjwah road prevented any vehicles from reaching her in time. With no other options available, she had to deliver her baby on the roadside, putting both her and the baby’s lives at great risk.

In a viral video, family members shared their experience of having to leave their homes early in the morning to reach the hospital. Unfortunately, they were unable to make it in time, resulting in the woman giving birth on the historic Bunjwah road. “Both the mother and child are doing well, but we have seen many cases where either the mother or the child has lost their life on the way to the hospital. We even tried to call for an ambulance, but nothing worked for us. Thank God the mother and child are safe and back home,” stated the woman’s father-in-law.
The 102 Ambulance that was approved for PHC Nali in 2014 is not stationed in Bunjwah, and no one knows its current whereabouts. This situation has caused outrage among residents, who have long been requesting repairs and maintenance for the essential road that connects Patnazi to Kither, as well as complete restoration of the road from Donadi.

Residents blame DDC Member Choudhary Aemna Banoo for her neglect as she had done nothing except make reels on social networking sites besides putting society at the mercy of Almighty God. Local express anguish over MLA Pyaray Lal for failing to address basic issues such as road infrastructure and healthcare services. “Our representatives have ignored us for years. The roads are in pathetic condition, healthcare facilities are nearly nonexistent, and no one listens to our concerns. How many more tragedies like this will it take for the authorities to take action?” expressed an angry resident Ashiq Wani.

There is an urgent need for widespread and meaningful action regarding the situation of pregnant women giving birth on the roadside in Bunjwah. It is essential to address the misconceptions that arise when people only recognize progress through visible development work. Unfortunately, this tragic incident occurred In the area, some leaders stood by as silent observers. How long will they remain indifferent? This could happen to anyone tomorrow. Is it not our right to demand accountability and action?

This silence poses a serious risk for future generations. I urge elected representatives and political party members to consider why they have not questioned local and district administrations about improving conditions in remote areas. Where were these officials during this crisis, and what actions have been taken to relieve the suffering of the community?
Will the voices of marginalized individuals continue to be silenced? If there is a major hospital near Bunjwah, why did this woman have to give birth on the road? Why do vehicles struggle to travel on these roads? Have we lost our dignity, relegated to living like our ancestors while witnessing such incidents today?

Mohd Idrees, a relative of the woman, shared the heartbreaking experience: “This morning, when my sister was due to Deliver, we called for an ambulance, but no one arrived due to the terrible road conditions. We lack proper medical facilities—there are no doctors or hospitals available. We urge the Deputy Commissioner, MLA, and the government to address the suffering faced by tribal communities in these remote areas. We are forced to carry pregnant women on our shoulders because of the inadequate roads and lack of healthcare. Today, a woman gave birth on the roadside and was then taken back home. We do not even have a single gynecologist in the region.”

Advocate Zulkarnain Choudhary, while sharing a clip on social networking sites, stated, “What great development is taking place in the Inderwal Constituency of Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir. However, it is concerning to note that the tribal Gujjar and Bakerwal areas in many parts of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir have been neglected. Women have been forced to give birth on the roadside due to a lack of Access to roads and transport, despite the fact that development in Jammu and Kashmir is at its peak. Everyone should remember this.”

There are numerous complaints regarding absenteeism in the health sector of Bunjwah, which includes PHC Nali, NTPHC Patnazi, and the Health Sub Centers in Buddhar. Staff members are not fulfilling their duties according to the scheduled roster. Both doctors and paramedical staff have been making their weekly shifts but appear to treat their time in Bunjwah as a vacation, using it as an excuse to stay away from work.

It is quite surprising that the salaries of these absentee employees are still being disbursed, considering that attendance is mandatory to be marked on the online portal from their specific posting locations. The authorities must take note of this negligence and verify attendance through mobile phone location services.

It is important to note that as the country moves toward digitalization and aims to establish itself as a global superpower, a pregnant woman in Bunjwah faces serious challenges due to a lack of access to proper roads and medical assistance. Despite her known pleas for help, the administration and local representatives have failed to take concrete action, leaving villagers to suffer, especially during medical emergencies.

Although authorities have not yet released an official statement, this incident underscores the urgent need for improved road connectivity and enhanced healthcare access in the remote areas of Kishtwar. Residents are urging the district administration and the Jammu and Kashmir government to take immediate action to repair the roads before another tragedy occurs. The village is primarily inhabited by the Gujjar community, who claim that the government has neglected their needs.

(The author is a Freelance Writer and Columnist from Bunjwah Kishtwar and can be reached at freelancershafqat@gmail.com, 9419974577).