A woman from the remote Mooree area of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir had to deliver on the road after doctors at the Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar did not allow her to stay in the hospital overnight and refused to admit her on Thursday.

Suraya Begum delivered a girl around 8.30 pm and the baby died soon after birth. According to the local Meteorological Department, the temperature in Srinagar was recorded at -0.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday night.

Hami Zaman, Suraya’s brother, mentioned that Suraya had developed labor pain on Thursday at home. There was nearly 3-feet snow in the area and the road between Mooree and Kalaroos, where the nearest hospital is located, was not motorable. He said that Suraya had to be carried on a charpoy by around 15 people, who walked for six hours to reach the hospital in Kalaroos, around 14 km away.

Doctors at the Kalaroos hospital referred her to Kupwara hospital, from where she was referred further to Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar. At Lal Ded, Suraya was kept under observation for a few hours. However, the hospital authorities subsequently refused to admit her.

Zaman told that around 8.30 pm, Suraya developed severe pain again and delivered a baby girl on the road. The newborn died immediately.

Dr Firdous Ahmad, Block Medical Officer of Kalaroos, said that he contacted doctors at Lal Ded after learning about the family’s ordeals. He said that they couldn’t handle the case because it was serious and had to refer the patient further.

Dr Shabir Siddique, Medical Superintendent of Lal Ded, said that an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. He further added that clear instructions have already been issued to the doctors that no patient from far-off places should be sent back at night.

A committee has been formed to investigate the incident. (Indian Express)